October 14, 2004

PAGE 16

SPORTS

■ Sports Clipboard . . . . . 13

A slice of life: Antwone Fisher visits UTPA

See Page 3

■ Tennis . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

THE

■ Volleyball. . . . . . . .15

PAN AMERICAN

T h e S t u d e n t N e w s p a p e r o f T h e U n i v e r s i t y o f Te x a s - P a n A m e r i c a n

October 14, 2004

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2004-05 MEN’S BASKETBALL SCHEDULE DATE

OPPONENT

LOCATION

11/06/04 11/08/04 11/23/04 11/27/04 12/01/04 12/04/04 12/07/04 12/11/04 12/16/04 12/20/04 12/22/04 12/23/04 12/29/04 12/31/04 01/02/05 01/05/05 01/08/05 01/11/05 01/17/05 01/20/05 01/26/05 01/29/05 01/31/05 02/05/05 02/07/05 02/17/05 02/19/05 02/21/05 02/27/05 03/01/05

Monterrey Tech (Exhibition Game) Universidad Regiomontana (Exhibition Game) Texas A&M - International Southwest Missouri State Southwestern Assemblies of God Sam Houston State Lamar University North Texas Texas - Permian Basin Birmingham - Southern College Wright State Mississippi Valley State UNLV Northwestern University University of Oklahoma Air Force Academy Northern Colorado Utah Valley State Texas - San Antonio Alcorn State Texas A&M - Corpus Christi Northern Colorado IPFW Texas A&M - Corpus Christi Vanderbilt University Birmingham - Southern College Central Baptist College Utah Valley State IPFW New Mexico State

HOME HOME HOME Springfield, MO HOME HOME Beaumont, TX HOME HOME HOME HOME HOME Las Vegas, NV Evanston, IL Norman, OK USAFA, CO Greeley, CO Orem, UT HOME Lorman, MS HOME HOME HOME Corpus Christi, TX Nashville, TN Birmingham, AL HOME HOME Fort Wayne, IN Las Cruces, NM

2004-05 MEN’S BASKETBALL ROSTER NO. 0 1 2 3 5 11 12 15 20 24 32 33 41 52

NAME Derrick East Danny Puente Eric Montalvo Sergio Sanchez Thomas Sanders Matt Berry Zach Wells Dexter Shankle Chris Fagan Ray Castillo Zach Trader Ryan Buck Ryan Lange Alvaidas Gedminas

CLASS JR FR SR SR FR SR FR FR SR SR FR FR SR SR

HEIGHT 6-8 6-0 6-1 5-10 6-3 6-5 6-4 6-0 6-5 6-5 6-7 6-6 6-11 7-0

HOMETOWN Binger, OK McAllen, TX La Joya, TX San Antonio, TX Sugar, TX Tulsa, OK Oklahoma City, OK Katy, TX Bronx, NY San Antonio, TX LaPorte, TX Harlingen, TX Inwood, IA Plunge, Lithuania

COACHING STAFF Robert Davenport - Head Coach (1st Season) Brian Dolan - Assistant Coach (1st Season) Greg Wright - Assistant Coach (1st Season) Spencer Wright - Assistant Coach (6th Season) Ryan Edwards - Administrative Assistant (1st Season)

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Midnight Madness Friday 7:30 p.m.

Field House On Friday, Oct. 15 athletic staff, athletes, and fans will gather in a daylong celebration to kick off UTPA Bronc basketball.

What is traditionally called Midnight Madness officially marks the beginning of basketball practice for both the men’s and women’s teams both of which will have a full month to prepare for the season.

The men’s team plays Texas A&MInternational on Nov. 23 at home for its first game. The women’s team heads to the Marshall Thundering Herd Tournament in Huntington, WV. on Nov. 19.

“Our guys have been working hard,” men’s head coach Robert Davenport said.

Davenport also mentioned that last season’s 14-14 finish is something the team can build on. He said his seven seniors carry the reminder of the way the Broncs started last season (5-12) before hitting a monthlong win streak in January for the remainder of the season, going 9-2 the rest of the way.

1.Sergio Sanchez 2.MaHogany Daniel 3.Eric Montalvo 4. Jennifer Piwonka 5. Matt Berry

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By ANGELA I. CANALES The Pan American

2004-05 WOMEN’S BASKETBALL SCHEDULE DATE

OPPONENT

LOCATION

11/07/04 11/13/04 11/19/04 11/20/04

St. Mary's (Exhibition Game) Texas A&M - Kingsville (Exhibition Game) Marshall Thundering Herd Tournament - Marshall Marshall Thundering Herd Tournament - Lehigh/UNC-Asheville Texas A&M - International Oral Roberts University University of Tulsa Southwestern Assemblies of God Colorado State University University of Wyoming Texas State University Texas - Permian Basin North Texas Lafayette College Morgan State University Oklahoma State Northern Arizona Prairie View A&M Huston - Tillotson IPFW Longwood University Savannah State Longwood University Prairie View A&M Texas A&M - Corpus Christi Texas A&M - Corpus Christi IPFW National Independent Tournament National Independent Tournament National Independent Tournament

HOME HOME Huntington, WV Huntington, WV

11/23/04 11/26/04 11/28/04 12/01/04 12/04/04 12/06/04 12/11/04 12/16/04 12/20/04 12/29/04 12/31/04 01/02/05 01/08/05 01/11/05 01/19/05 01/22/05 01/28/05 01/30/05 02/07/05 02/09/05 02/15/05 02/22/05 02/26/05 03/03/05 03/04/05 03/05/05

HOME Tulsa, OK Tulsa, OK HOME Fort Collins, CO Laramie, WY HOME HOME HOME Easton, PA Baltimore, MD Stillwater, OK HOME HOME HOME HOME Farmville, VA Farmville, VA HOME Prairie View A&M Corpus Christi, TX HOME Fort Wayne, IN Orem, UT Orem, UT Orem, UT

2004-05 WOMEN’S BASKETBALL ROSTER NO. 1 3 4 5 11 13 14 21 23 24 32 33 34 35 41 43

NAME Tiona Wilson Azzie Knox Ashley Roberts Kathy Guin Jennifer Piwonka MaHogany Daniel Dottie Kneer Cinthia Ramirez Dawnne Cheadle Molly Schamel Devin Reed Dominique Montague Jennifer Arriola Joanna Fuentes Tynesha Pierce Stacey Gooden

CLASS FR SO SR FR SR SO FR FR SR SR JR JR SR JR FR JR

HEIGHT 5-6 5-10 5-6 5-5 5-7 5-10 5-11 5-7 5-7 6-1 5-7 5-9 6-2 5-9 6-1 6-0

HOMETOWN Bradenton, FL Temple, TX Hernando, TX Guthrie, OK Louise, TX Corpus Christi, TX Winter Park, FL Guadalajara, MEX Roswell, NM Hector, NY Indianapolis, IN Gilbert, AZ Rio Rico, AZ McAllen, TX Houston, TX Houston, TX

COACHING STAFF DeAnn Craft - Head Coach (2nd Season) Tracy Anderson - Associate Head Coach (3rd Season) Jill Davis - Assistant Coach (2nd Season) Keelah Wilson - Assistant Coach (1st Season) Chelsea Bell - Administrative Assistant (1st Season)

With less than a month until the presidential elections, citizens, including women, are registering and getting informed about the issues.

Students have watched the debates and are trying to make informed decisions on who is the best choice for president.

“Well, there are a lot of issues that make me want to vote,” said Kerri Urdaz, junior education major. “First of all, right now my main concern is the war because I have a brother there.”

The war in Iraq is a topic considered to be a priority among voters making a choice at the polls.

“Really, I guess everything that is going on in Iraq [makes me want to go vote],” said Michelle Peña, sophomore psychology major.

Though there are some issues that women deal with daily by simply being female, such as barriers to advancement in the workforce, yet when it comes to elections, there isn’t a major difference between the genders.

“No, I don’t think of any issues that are particularly pertaining to women, I think most of the things that our society should be concerned with are issues that affect everyone,” Urdaz said.

To decide on a candidate, women are looking for answers that will benefit society.

“I don’t think it is women [issues] I think it is more as a whole,” Peña said. “I think Bush will do a better job in protecting our country. I know he has his moments like

that affect Americans are welfare and education.

“I kind of agree with what he [Bush] is doing with the welfare and all that,” Peña said. “I agree how he is trying to, not end it, but have people not depend on it so much because it is taking a lot of taxpayers’ money. I don’t get welfare and I pay for school and I am not really going to benefit from it.”

Urdaz feels that issues affecting students are also important and should be something taken into consideration by voters. This includes the cost of higher education and job availability upon graduation.

Tasks of researching and knowing the candidates should be complete by Nov. 2.

“I would encourage everyone that is registered to vote to go and vote because it does make a difference,” Urdaz said. “Also be informed, research the debates and end up with an informed decision when you are ready to go vote.”

The third and last presidential debate was Wednesday in Tempe, AZ. Urdaz expresses that it is important for women to vote and exercise their right to vote are heard by actually voting.

“It’s important to vote simply because it is our right,” she said. “It is our voice and we should be able to express it by voting.”

Petra Guerra, assistant professor in the communication department, was an activist in the ‘70s and ‘80s and said that women voters are an important voice at the polls.

“First of all, all kind of studies show that we as women make better decisions and could probably run this world better,” Guerra said. “For me being a woman instead

“All kinds of studies show that women make better decisions and could probably run this world better.”

-Petra Guerra, UTPA assistant professor when they did that movie where they made him look really bad, but I think he would be better off for us.”

Other than the war, other key issues

of sitting at home and complaining about it, I feel that I need to get out there and do more and educate other women to see what is happening.”

See WOMEN page 11

Delisa Guaderama/The Pan American

Women: Voicing their right to vote + As presidential election nears, women are focusing on personal topics

______________________ Teresa Heinz Kerry, wife of presidential candidate John Kerry, speaks at a rally in McAllen on Sunday. ______________________

RGV Food Bank assists families

By LYLONY CAZARES The Pan American The Thanksgiving holiday season is only a couple weeks away and there are many families dealing with hunger on a daily basis in the Rio Grande Valley. To help feed the hungry the Food Bank RGV in McAllen is conducting Hunger Awareness Week Oct. 10-16.

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) only 89 percent of households in American were food-secure in 2002, meaning they had access to adequate food for an active, healthy life for all household members. Eleven percent of households were food-insecure because of lack of resources.

“There are thousands of families across the Valley that need the assistance of the Food Bank RGV and our member agencies to help put food on their table,” said Nadia Ochoa, Food Bank RGV resource development manager.

Ochoa mentioned how important the hunger issue is in the Valley and the need for the community to become more aware of the issue. The Food Bank RGV will be sending out public service announcements during Hunger Awareness Week.

“We recognize the problem and we are trying to solve it,” Ochoa said. “It affects both elderly and children in different ways. Children can't grow or function normally in school without the proper nutrition. Hunger increases the risk of a stroke, and limits the effectiveness of many

See HUNGER page 11

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October 14 2 0 0 4

OPINION

SPORTS

October 14, 2004

letters

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editorials

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cartoons

Page 15

First volleyball home game in a month is a win

By DARYL GONZALES The Pan American

THE

PAN AMERICAN 1201 West University, CAS 170 Edinburg, Texas 78539 (956) 381-2541 Fax: (956) 316-7122 http://www.panam.edu/dept/panamerican 53rd Year – No. 8

Editor Arianna Vazquez gareyjup@aol.com

News Editor Clarissa Martinez clarissa_utpa@ hotmail.com

A & E Editor Omaira Galarza omairang@yahoo.com

Interim Sports Editor Joey Gomez dedhed489@yahoo.com

Graphics Editors Dägoberto Pérez

The PAN AMERICAN is the official student newspaper of The University of Texas-Pan American.

Views presented are those of the writers and do not necessarily reflect those of the university.

WORD BANK- “In the News”

WORD BANK asbestos davenport midnight madness panamerican shuttles white green orange bronc panorama democrat republican brady bill utpa

bachur@mail.com

Ginmarie Mabry

Letters policy

ohnesie@yahoo.com

Photography Editor Franco Caballero photomosaix@aol.com

Copy Editor Dulce Gonzalez bluetinky10@aol.com

Graphic/Web Design Eduardo Martinez emartinez23@panam.edu

Reporters Angela Canales Cecilia Castaneda Emma Clark Edwina P. Garza Daryl Gonzales Christina Harris Joey Hinojosa Aaron Lozano Photographers Delisa Guadarrama Joel de la Rosa Melissa Martinez Secretary Diana Corpus Garza Adviser Dr. Greg Selber

The Pan American gladly accepts letters from students, staff and faculty regarding newspaper content or current issues.

The Pan American reserves the right to edit submissions for grammar and length. Please limit submission length to 300 words. The Pan American cannot publish anonymous letters, or submissions containing hate speech or gratuitous personal attacks. Letters are printed at the discretion of the editor and must include the writer’s name, class/title and phone number.

Readers with disabilities may request an alternative format of this publication at The Pan American business office.

For special assistance to attend any event listed in this publication, contact the coordinator of the event at least one week prior to the advertised date.

Teresa Najera/The Pan American

CLEAN SWEEP- UTPA sophomore Karen Lyons (9) is surrounded by her teamates Heather Bravo (2) and Chrissie Carrigan (1) after they swept their rivals A&M-Corpus Christi Islanders for the second time in a row in three games (30-22, 30-24, 31-29) on Tuesday at the UTPA Field House.

Bronc Roundup: Golf, cross country in action

Letter to the Editor Dear Editor: I feel compelled to write this letter in response to Jack Stanley’s letter in the 9/30/04 edition of the Pan American. One of his quotes in bold was “If you are not of Spanish-speaking Hispanic Mexican heritage, UTPA does not value you.” One of the many things I value about higher education is the concept of academic freedom - anyone, especially tenured faculty, can freely state their opinions. However, I strongly do not agree with his position. As an Anglo not from the Valley, I have always felt valued on this campus.

My opinions are very different from Jack Stanley’s. On the one hand, I do agree that there have been times that I feel “diversity” and “multiculturalism” is not directed at me.

However, I have never, on the UTPA campus, felt that racism has been an issue. To quote Stanley, “UTPA has long been accustomed to such racism and the racist patron system.” A

The University of Texas-Pan American made it two in a row, returning home to defeat Texas A&M-Corpus Christi Tuesday at the Field House.

The Lady Broncs, now 7-9 after ending a recent four-game losing streak, came from behind in a thrilling third match to beat the Lady Islanders in three straight matches, (30-22, 30-24, 31-29), keeping the crowd on its feet all the way.

“Coming back home was amazing and it helped tremendously with the crowd and everyone getting into it,” Sophomore Heather Bravo said.

The first two games seemed to go the Lady Broncs’ way as they ran away with easy victories. When the third match started, they found themselves trailing the Lady Islanders, 14-9 with the loss, 3-1 early.

Late in the match they started closing the gap and found themselves in a gunfight. The home team finished off the third match with an adrenaline-pumping victory that had the crowd jumping.

“I really think the team stuck together and just came through,” Bravo said. “Not getting worried and stressed when they went up really helped us.”

Coach Dave Thorn said his team went back to what they were doing in the first two matches to come from behind and pick up the win in the third match. He said that during the second match, his team was a little tentative and tried to play it safe; that allowed the other team to gain momentum.

“And once we started playing aggressively again, attacking the ball, we started doing a lot better,” Thorn said. “I thought that we had better concentration in the second game.”

One key factor that seemed to help the Lady Broncs was the home field advantage. They were cheered not only by the UTPA cheerleaders, but by the 200-plus crowd that was going nuts during the late thirdmatch rally.

“They were going crazy for us and that’s a great boost,” Thorn said.

“I think that’s what pushed us over the edge on that last game.”

Leading the way for the Karen Lyons (McAllen, TX/McAllen Memorial H.S.) who had 36 assists on the night and 18 digs.

Sophomore Bravo (Las Vegas, NV/Durango H.S.) finished with 16 kills and 12 digs.

“I thought that Karen had a good night,” Chrissie Carrigan said.

“Now we’re really geling as a team.”

Teammate Carol Marcengo (Curitiba, Brazil/SPEI H.S.) collected her ninth 20-dig game Tuesday night and even had two straight aces in the exciting third game that put UTPA up, 30-29.

“We started our home stand like we wanted to,” Thorn said. ”Hopefully that will start giving us some momentum.”

The next test for the team will come Friday at UTPA Fieldhouse when they face Northern Colorado and try to extend their winning streak.

quick look in the dictionary defines racism as “the idea that one’s own race is superior”. In my tenure of 12 year here at the university I have felt ethic pride but certainly not “racism.” I may be ill informed but I’m not exactly sure what “racist patron system” is. I guess my naiveté prevents me from fully commenting on this alleged system.

Current enrollment figures at UTPA indicate that 89 percent of the students are Hispanic, a figure consistent with the local residents. My question to Jack Stanley is: if ours was an institution in northern Minnesota, would it not be normal and appropriate to honor Norwegian or Swedish culture?

I am also troubled by his statement that “…academic programs were financially robbed to benefit the personal pet projects” (referring to past President Nerarez). I would have liked to have more specific statements rather than inflammatory ones with no supporting evidence. This may have been his

experience, but it is certainly not mine.

Administration has been very supportive of the continual growth of our academic department during the past 15 years.

I fully agree that, as individuals and an institution, we must value all people regardless of ethnicity, gender, disability, religion, age, etc. And, I agree, that I have experienced examples where non-Hispanic students and faculty may have felt marginalized. However, to make statements about “the racist patron system” grossly exceeds reality.

As a communication professor, I would hope that Jack Stanley would add substantive details to his claims rather than vague statements of racism, cronyism, and robbery.

Otherwise, I see little value in his comments.

Bruce J. Reed, Ph.D. Professor/Department Chair, Department of Rehabilitation

By DARYL GONZALES The Pan American The University of Texas-Pan American men’s golf team teed off at the Stephen F. Austin Crown Classic on Oct. 11-12, finishing a respectable sixth out of nine teams. The men’s three-round total was 929 (308-307315), Leading the way was freshmen A.J. Hohn who shot a three-round total of 225 (71-73-81), good for the team’s best ranking, 17th. Hohn was fifth after the first two rounds of play, and then dropped to 17th after shooting an 81.

Teammate Jeff Hensley followed at 23rd with a 231 score and Colin Norris finished 30th 234 (79-76-79).

Freshmen Kyle Tudi and Alvaro Gonzalez tied for 40th after three rounds.

Tournament top honors went to Stephen F. Austin 871 (288-284-299), and then Sam Houston State 887 (290296-301), McNeese State 890 (297-293-300) while Rice and University of Missouri rounded off the top five with UTPA sixth.

The men are next in action Oct. 22 at the Nelson Invitational hosted by Stanford University in Palo Alto, CA. On the women’s side, Mother Nature takes another invitational as the Lady Indian Classic was cancelled after just one round of play due to severe thunderstorms.

The women’s team was only allowed to play one round, but managed to finish that round fourth out of 17 attending schools.

Juniors Daniela Cortes and Stefanie Maynard were tied for 11th after the first round of play, at 78, followed closely by Crystal Frazier in 14th (with a 79) after the first round. Rounding out the list for the Lady Broncs were Nikki Boychuk at 40th and Christine Treanor in 56th.

The next tournament for the Lady Broncs will be in two weeks at the Sam Houston State Tri-match Oct. 24 in Huntsville.

Men’s and Women’s Cross Country Also making heads turn is the success the university’s cross country team, as two of its members were named

Independent Runners of the Week on Wednesday.

Junior Hector Gandara was one of the two runners honored. This week he put on a great performance at the Auburn Invitational, placing 13th out of 185 runners with a time of 25:38.65 in the 8K race. This is the third meet this year where Gandara finished with the best time for the men’s cross country team. The other top place finishes came when he won at the Texas State Invitational and came home fourth at the Islander Splash held in Corpus Christi.

At the Auburn Invitational, the UTPA men’s team finished 10th out of 21 teams.

Also honored this week was freshman Bertha Castillo on the women’s side. At the Auburn Invitational she finished with a time of 19:16.07 in the 5K race, placing 21st out of 163 runners. For the fourth consecutive time this year she was the team’s top runner. She placed eighth at the Texas State Invitational and fifth at the University of Texas San Antonio Whataburger Invitational.

These two and the rest of their team will be in the heat of things again when they travel to the Independent Championships in Corpus Christi Oct. 30.

October 14, 2004

SPORTS

Page 14

Tennis women get ready for journey to Aggieland

By JOEY HINOJOSA The Pan American The Lady Bronc tennis team is preparing for the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) Regional Tournament in College Station this weekend. Freshmen Katherine Barto and Silke Buskik will represent UTPA at the event.

“Silke and I are going into the tournament aware of the fact that we are going against some of the best competition we will face this season,” said Barto. “We have decided to play the best we can and to just have fun doing it.”

Barto and Buskik will be playing doubles together this weekend. Barto feels that good doubles partners know each other well on and off the court.

“Successful doubles involves a lot of communication between you and your partner,” said the Laredo native. “I practice once a week with my doubles partner and we have just begun this season playing together.”

Players train six days a week to help improve their game.

“Our daily routine includes a light warm-up, occasional match play, individual needs (i.e. volleys, serves), and conditioning at the end of every practice,” said Barto. “We practice Monday through Saturday for three hours each day.”

The love of the game started for Barto when she was nine years old, and she has carried that enjoyment of tennis into her collegiate career. She has only been a part of the Lady

Broncs team for a short time, but she feels she is already learning from the program.

“I have learned to better manage my time now that I am part of a team,” said Barto. “In order to keep up with academics and athletics and be successful at both, it is important that I learn when and how to do each one well.”

Barto believes she has learned a lot from the sport she has played for nearly a decade, and feels she can apply those lessons to her life outside tennis.

“One of the main things that I try to live by in my everyday life that is essential in tennis is patience,” she said. “Good tennis involves a great deal of patience.

Barto also thinks that to be competitive at tennis one needs to stay focused on getting better.

“The main thing that you need in order to be Delisa Guadarrama/The Pan American successful at tennis is discipline,” she said.

“You have to want to go out every day and SMASH- Freshman Katherine Barto hits a forehand volley in a recent tennis practice. It is the only way that you can practice. She represents UTPA in College Station Oct. 15-16. improve your game.”

Barto, who made the move from Laredo to attend UTPA, As Barto’s second tournament of her collegiate career draws near, she remains focused as she prepares for the says she does miss certain aspects of her hometown.

“I do miss the city of Laredo a little, but I miss my famiregional meet.

“I just want to go into the tournament calm and ready to ly and friends that live in Laredo a whole lot more,” said Barto. play, that’s all I can do,” said the 18-year-old.

Upstart Patriots take on state-ranked ‘Jackets

By JACOB ALEGRIA The Pan American MISSION- Upsets happen every week in sports. The newfangled Mission Veterans Memorial Patriots are looking to do just that against the tradition-rich Edcouch-Elsa Yellow Jackets Friday.

achieving, but the Pats and their coach don’t totally agree.

“When I came here many people told me that if I won four or five games that would be great and a success,” Longoria said. “I didn’t accept that: I wanted to win a district title or at least compete for one.”

Even though not much was expected from Mission Veterans this year, the Patriots believed they had something to prove

Jacob Alegria/The Pan American

UNBEATEN- Steven Zamora of Mission Veterans Memorial prepares to lead the Patriots against Edcouch-Elsa Friday night.

In their third varsity season the Pats have been a big hit, after posting just two wins in 2002-2003. The team has gone from last to a tie for first under the direction of first-year head coach Carlos Longoria.

Longoria came over from Raymondville and in his first try in Mission has led the team to a 6-0 record heading into this week’s road match against E-E, also 6-0 and ranked No. 9 in the state by the Associated Press. Some say the team is over-

even before the season began. Longoria came in and decided from day one that player attitudes needed to change. During his first meeting with the team he said, “Our goal is to win a district title, but it’s going to take a lot of hard work.”

Longoria preaches to his team every day that in order to be successful, taking care of details will help in achieving greater goals.

“By doing the little things right and working hard, the big things will take care of themselves,” he said.

The Patriots have come together this year and have put themselves in a position to battle for the District 32-4A title, against the high-powered la Maquina Amarilla. This is fairly early in district play to be playing for the district title, but the two teams come in unbeaten overall and competition in the district seems to be limited. No other district team has a winning record.

After starting off the season with a tight 21-19 win against 5A opponent McAllen Memorial the Patriots have beaten teams by an average margin of 16 points since then. They are coming off another tight game against the P-SJ-A Memorial Wolverines, where they managed to escape with a 28-26 hardfought victory. The feisty Wolverines were out in front at halftime with a 14-0 lead, but the Patriots came back to score 28 points led by up-and-coming quarterback Steven Zamora.

Zamora, who had to learn a new offense this year, is finally getting comfortable with it, which was something Longoria was waiting for.

“We saw something special in Steven from the beginning and lately he has been selling out for this team,” said Longoria.

The rest of the team has been selling out along with Zamora and now they enter the biggest game in their short history.

They will need to sell out for this big game, because they now face a state-ranked team. The Jackets have one of the best running backs in the Valley in Fred Loredo, who has rushed for over 1,000 yards and 18 touchdowns.

Longoria knows how good Loredo is, but he insists that E-E is not a one-man team.

“He (Loredo) is a great back, but they have impressive players all over on that team,” he commented.

The Pats have been looking forward to this game for some time, and could have taken P-SJ-A Memorial for granted.

“I think we overlooked the Wolverines a little bit, because we could all see coming the following week,” said Longoria.

No one seems to be giving the Patriots much of a chance against the Jackets, but on the other hand anyone can beat anyone on any given day. This is something Longoria truly believes in.

“They still have to line up and play against us; this is there homecoming and we will go over there and play and let the best team win,” he said. This game should be one of the most important ones of the year on the Valley schedule. On Friday night all of the questions about who is better and who is number one in District 32-4A, will be answered.

NEWS

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Student profile. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

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Lindquist. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

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Gun control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Construction creates growing pains

Asbestos slows down renovations of education building

By RICHARD GARCIA The Pan American Construction on the UTPA campus is virtually everywhere, illustrating that the university is growing, multiplying and expanding. Work that students witness is not limited to new buildings or offices for professors; the renovation of old buildings such as education complexes A and B, located northwest of campus, are part of the growth plan.

However, on Aug. 26, the first day of class for the fall semester, education students found that renovation of the building where their classes were to be held were still not completed.

It may sound strange that the building is not exactly complete but according to Jaime C. Condit, facilities planning and construction manager at UTPA, several technical difficulties have postponed the original renovation completion date of July.

The building, which is about 30 years old, has never gone through a renovation process, Condit explained.

“The notice to proceed was given to the contractor [BFW/ Skaska] on Nov. 12, 2003 to commence work in buildings A & B,” Condit said.

Unfortunately for BFW/Skaska, when the work began, they came across the harmful mineral common in most old or rundown buildings, asbestos.

As they gradually made progress renovating on schedule, a crash was felt and it was not the walls that came down; it was the hopes of finishing on time. Initially the contractors had no idea how much asbestos was in the buildings, they understood that they would come across some, but just how much is ‘some’?

According to Condit, nothing prepared them for what they were about to see.

The black plastic lining that attaches to the buildings walls had major asbestos buildup. Virtually every wall had

contractors’ minds was the grim reality that more asbestos could be in the old building. So they took a close look at chilled water pipelines, which deliver air conditioning.

Condit explained that BFW/Skaska found asbestos clinging to and penetrating the mastic glue that seals the chilled water pipelines from erosion. Clearly something had to be done, so as walls were torn down, construction workers gutted the chilled water pipelines and installed new ones.

Erosion and asbestos were a damper on the process, of renovation. By now, the project was seven weeks behind schedule with the fall semester creeping around the corner.

With July coming to an end, UTPA was waiting to hear from BFW/ Skaska to forward a key bit of the puzzle to UTPA. “Substantial completion is a list of minor repairs to be done to a building,” Condit said. “This allows students, professors and staff to safely operate in the building, without the building being completely renovated.”

But back with the education students’ questions remain.

Where are they now, and how do they feel about the Melissa Martinez/The Pan American situation that they have been through?

Senior Liza Garcia is still upset with the way things were CONSTRUCTION- Problems with asbestos delayed handled in the renovation process. the renovation of the education building project by “One of my professors told us during class that seven weeks. The department has not seen renova- something had happened to the piping,” Garcia said. “Also, tions in 30 years. we had to drive to the Annex Building for three weeks and by the time we got back to the main campus, trying to find a parking space was near impossible.” to be replaced. This delayed the project three weeks and it The Academic and Administrative Support Annex, (Old meant that more walls had to be inspected, torn down and Wal-Mart Building) located at 2412 S. Closner, is a threenew walls placed on order.

Condit also explained that one of the most time- mile drive from the main campus.

This has been an ongoing problem for education students consuming delays came from leaks in the hot and cold pipes. Erosion got the better half of these old pipelines, for nearly nine months.

According to College of Education Dean Dr. Hilda causing “eight to ten leaks,” he said. That alone delayed Medrano, students and professors have been arranged in the completion of the project for four weeks.

Renovation continued, but lingering in the back of the See ASBESTOS page 12

Antwone Fisher visits UTPA, speaks about life and work

By EDWINA P. GARZA The Pan American

Franco Caballero/The Pan American

MEET AND GREET- Lilly Montalvo, sophomore nursing major, greets Antwone Fisher inside the UTPA Ballroom at a luncheon prior to his public appearance in the Student Union Theater Wednesday.

Another celebrity was at The University of Texas-Pan American this week. Last night, Oct. 13, the Distinguished Speakers Series began with Antwone Fisher, screenwriter and author who explained to UTPA faculty and students that the human spirit caries more weight than a person’s living circumstances.

Fisher’s first appearance on campus was at the UTPA Ballroom where he met with a small group of 50 student leaders and faculty before the lecture. A small crowd of excited admirers gathered around Fisher to make his acquaintance with cellular phone cameras and general small talk before the dinner.

Marialicia Andrade, a committee member for the Distinguished Speakers Series introduced Fisher to the small group before a question and answer session.

“He has undoubtedly touched many and most recently me,” Andrade said. “I am so amazed by this wise man, [he’s] very, very friendly; I just want to cry because he’s such a

great person, he’s very honest, it just really touched my life.”

Fisher, 45, was born in prison to a 16-yearold and was immediately given up for adoption; his father died before he was born.

Fisher was sent to a few foster homes before ending up in an orphanage after being mistreated by his foster parents.

Following his high school graduation at the age of 17, Fisher was asked to leave the orphanage to lead his own life. He ended up homeless, sleeping around Cleveland State University and eventually signed up in the Navy. Following 11 years of service in the Navy, Fisher worked with Sony Pictures as a security guard where he later wrote a screenplay based on his life.

“I felt like I needed relief,” Fisher said of his troubled life. “Writing a movie gave me a feeling of relief, and so I decided to write a book afterwards and I began to feel like I can go on with my life.”

According to Fisher, telling his story and letting others who may be in his situation hear

See FISHER page 12

NEWS

October 14, 2004

Page 4

Student Profile: Celine Jones Education major overcomes life obstacles, hopes to inspire students

By CECILIA CASTANEDA The Pan American Celine Jones doesn't believe in the five-second rule, the 10-year rule or any timed rule that makes something useless, unreturnable and forgotten. For her, it has never been too complicated to commit to finish her 10-year attempt for a bachelor's degree.

There were many excuses for putting aside college for another 10 years: an 8-year old boy, and a busy Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) to preside over, an 11-year-old daughter in soccer, Girl Scouts and band. Then there was the sudden responsibility to provide for them after her 10-year relationship with her husband ended in divorce. But her degree still waited, and it had not grown stale.

"I always thought that I could do it on my own," Jones said. "And I finally am. I'm proud of myself.”

Two years ago, Jones, 38, committed to full-time education to finish her bachelor's in education to be an elementary school teacher. She is spending her last semester interning at Velabina Elementary in Edinburg, while working as a secretary for the education department at The University of Texas-Pan American, serving as President of the PTO, and mothering her two kids between their extracurricular activities and school work.

"It's stressful, but that's what makes it worth it in the end," Jones said. "I have to organize my time and use my time wisely, but of course, my kids always come first."

After interning at the elementary for eight hours and working at the university for another three, Jones comes home to help with homework, listen to her daughter practice the flute, and spend time talking with her children.

Yet, time is rare and her children can grow impatient.

"There's been times when they get tired and complain that

I always say 'Wait until I get my degree,'" Jones said. "I tell them that they just need to bear with me because I'm going to school to give them a better life. This is in order for me to be better for them."

Jones was born in Chicago and moved to Edinburg when she was 10 years old. After graduating from high school, Jones moved to Arlington to work at a bank but returned to Edinburg a year later. She started attending UTPA, but decided to quit and stay at home with her child while her husband finished school. Now it is her turn.

"I really wanted to go back," Jones said. "I let my husband finish school and now I had to accomplish this for me and my kids."

The long-running student CELINE f i n d s motivation to continue from her mother, who takes care of her children and encourages Jones to finish school. The dean of the College of Education, Hilda Medrano has also helped Jones achieve her goal.

“She is a very dedicated student, and -Celine Jones she has been raising two children as a single mother,” Medrano said. “While working and going to school she has maintained a high GPA and been able to do this after many obstacles when she was young.”

"The dean knows my life history and she knows how much I've struggled to get where I'm at," Jones said. "It really helps

“ I’m going to graduate.

I know I can do it. I’ve worked hard enough.”

when somebody tells you that they're proud of you."

As a student teacher for kindergartners at Velabina Elementary, Jones assists in teaching the alphabet, phonetic sounds, colors, days of the week, months and weather.

The student teacher uses a different thematic unit each week and repetition to help her students learn new words and concepts.

"I like teaching the kindergartners a lot," Jones said. "You grow attached to the children, especially those who really need you to learn. They steal your heart."

Jones will finish placement in the kindergarten classroom and move to teaching third grade next week. Jones enjoys the third-and fourth-grade curriculum and plans on JONES teaching that after graduating.

"I feel more comfortable with that age and the curriculum," Jones said. "I'm excited for changing to third grade next week. Everything changes when you move grades."

Jones has wanted to teach since junior high, where she joined the Future Teachers of America (FTA). In January, after graduating with her degree, she will accomplish that, and apply for several teaching jobs. Her 10-year effort will end and the bachelor's degree in her hands will be as fresh as it could have been 10 years ago.

“I really admire that she’s not in a hurry,” Medrano said.

“She’s been learning how to become a good teacher.”

"I am going to graduate," Jones said. "I know I can do it.

I’ve worked hard enough."

Mission native conducts motivational seminar

By KERI KLING The Pan American Do you want to dream bigger, reach higher and go further in life? These will be a few of the topics presented

by Dr. Michael Lindquist in his seminar titled, “Destined to Succeed.”

Lindquist, an international speaker, will be coming to UTPA on Oct. 19. The seminar will last from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. and will be held in the Media Theatre.

Lindquist is the founder and president of World Center Inc., a leadership training school located in Mission. He is also the head pastor of Nations Assembly.

According to the World Center Web site, it first began as a ministry training center for those called to reach into the world through missions and church planting.

Today, World Center Ministries includes: The World Center School of Ministry; Nations Assembly, a growing multicultural church and the World Center Leadership Academy, a private Christian school for children.

Some of the topics that will be covered in this seminar are: seven secrets for personal success, keys to winning at work, why some people do the right things yet still fail, and 10 lies about money.

Juan Lino Perez, a junior kinesiology major, recently attended Lindquist’s seminar.

“Dr. Lindquist is an excellent motivational speaker. He challenges people yet also provides very practical steps to

made a difference with my employer,” Shoemaker explained.

This event is being sponsored by World Mandate, a student organization on campus. For more information or for special accommodations, call 318-0277.

“Destined to Succeed” Seminar by Dr. Michael Lindquist

Where: Media Theatre Date: Oct. 19 DR. MICHAEL LINDQUIST reaching success,” Perez said.

Ann Shoemaker, 19, a student at World Center, also attended a seminar recently.

“I was able to put some of the strategies Dr. Lindquist presented into practice the next week at work. It really

Time: 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

SPORTS

October 14, 2004

SPORTS CLIPBOARD USA all the Way

FOR THE RECORD NFL WEEK 3 Sunday, Oct. 10 Detroit 17, Atlanta 10 New York Giant 26, Dallas 10 Indianapolis 35 Oakland 14 noon Minnesota 34, Houston 28 OT New England 24, Miiami 10 Pittsburgh 34, Cleveland 23

The United States men’s soccer team dismantled Panama in Washington 6-0 Wednesday night.

Captain Landon Donovan scored two of the six United States goals while rookie Eddie Johnson added a hat-trick with only 17 minutes to secure the easy victory.

The United States has qualified for the regional finals moving ever closer to qualifying for the 2006 World Cup in Germany, where they hope for sweet redemption against the Germans, who defeated them in the 2000 event.

Killer Bees to play Mexico National Team On Friday, Oct. 15, the Killer Bees will compete against Mexico marking the first time at the Dodge Arena that these two hockey teams have faced off.

It will be the first exhibition home game in franchise history and the first time a CHL team has faced a National Team representing another country.

The Bees are 0-2-0 in exhibition play, as they lost a pair of road games last season each by one goal.

The Mexico National Team is in its fifth season of international competition and come off of a bronze medal finish in the IIHF Division III World Championships, which were held in Iceland. They have a 4-13-1 all-time record in IIHF play.

The game will be broadcast on ESPN Radio 1240 AM, with Wayne Amann providing game commentary. Chris Due, Donny Harron and Jeffrey Salcedo will serve as the broadcasters for Televisa, which will also air the game.

Page 13

Game 3 Saturday, Oct. 16 St. Louis at Houston 4 p.m.

Game 4 Sunday, Oct. 17 St. Louis at Houston, 4 p.m.

Game 5 Monday, Oct. 18 St. Louis at Houston, 8 p.m.

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL

Tampa Bay 20, New Orleans 17 New York Jets 16, Buffalo 14 San Diego 34, Jacksonville 21 St. Louis 33,Seattle 27 OT

UTPA SPORTS WOMEN’S GOLF

San Francisco 31, Arizona 28 OT Denver 20, Carolina 17

Lady Indian Classic Jonesboro C.C., Jonesboro, AR

Baltimore 17, Washington 10

Oct 11-12

open: Cincinnati, Kansas City,

One round-par 72

Philadelphia, Chicago Monday, Oct. 11 Tennessee 48, Green Bay 27

Yardage 6011 1. NorthTexas

309 +21

2. Texas State

313 +25

3. Southern Illinois

314 +26

San Diego at Atlanta, noon

4. UTPA

317 +29

Green Bay at Detroit, noon

5. Northern Iowa

319 +31

Houston at Tennessee, noon

6. Tennessee Tech

321 +33

Miami at Buffalo, noon

T 7. Arkansas State

322 +34

Washington at Chicago, noon

T7. Lamar Univ.

322 +34

San Francisco at N.Y. Jets, noon

T9. McLennan CC

324 +36

Seattle at New England, noon

T9. Sam Houston St.

324 +36

Kansas City at Jacksonville, noon

11. A&M Corpus Christi

325 +37

Cincinnati at Cleveland, noon

12. Nicholls State

334 +46

Carolina at Philadelphia, noon

13. Arkansas Tech

343 +55

Pittsburgh at Dallas, 3:15 p.m.

14. Centenary College

361 +73

Denver at Oakland, 3:15 p.m.

15. Rhodes College

365 +77

Minnesota at New Orleans,7:30p.m.

16. Lyon College

383 +95

Sunday, Oct. 17

open: Indianapolis, Arizona, N.Y. Giants, Baltimore, Monday, Oct. 18 Tampa Bay at St. Louis, 8 p.m.

Note: all times central standard time

Oct. 24

Sam Houston State Tri-Match

Oct. 25

Ellingson/Shu Invitational

Oct. 26

Ellingson/SHSU Invitational

Nov. 8

Lady Bronc Classic

Nov. 9

Lady Bronc Classic

MLB Post-Season MEN’S GOLF

Houston falls to St. Louis First blood goes to St. Louis as the Cardinals outgunned the Houston Astros 10-7 in St. Louis on Wednesday night’s game one of the National League Championship Series.

Carlos Beltran hammered one deep over the right field wall putting the Astros up 2-0 in the top of the first inning.

St. Louis quickly responded as Albert Pujols sent a two-run shot screaming out of the park. Jeff Kent hit a two-run homer in the fourth to put the Astros ahead, but St. Louis was just a little too much. The Astros had a 4-3 lead until the fifth inning, until Jim Edmonds and Scott Rolen started a rally that quickly turned the tide in the sixth for a 10-4 lead.

Houston relievers Chad Qualls and Chad Harville allowed the game to get away as the Cardinals scored six runs in the same inning, which put the Astros down for the count. Lance Berkman and Mike Lamb brought in most of the runs in for Houston late in the game but it was too late.

Game two of the NLCS series will be today at 7 p.m. as the Houston Astros try to even the series at a game apiece with Pete Munro on the mound.

American League Conference Series Game 1 Tuesday, Oct. 12 N.Y. Yankees 10, Boston 7 Game 2 Wednesday, Oct.13 N.Y. Yankees 3, Boston 1 Game 3 Friday, Oct 15 N.Y. Yankees at Boston, 8 p.m Game 4 Saturday, Oct. 16 N.Y. Yankees at Boston, 7:30 p.m.

Game 5 Sunday, Oct. 17 N.Y. Yankees at Boston, 7:30 p.m.

National League Conference Series Game 1 Wednesday, Oct13 St. Louis 10, Houston 7 Game 2 Thursday, Oct. 14 Houston at St. Louis, 8 p.m.

SFA Crown Classic Crown colony C.C., Lufkin,TX Oct. 11-12 Three round-par 72 Yardage 6692 1. Stephen F. Austin

288 284 299 +7

2. Sam Houston

290 296 301 +23

3. McNeese St.

297 293 300 +26

4. Rice Univ.

299 291 313 +39

5. Univ.Missouri

301 308 304 +49

6. UTPA

309 305 315 +65

7. Texas State

308 307 315 +66

8. Centenary

317 309 318 +80

9. SouthWestern

322 319 320 +97

Oct. 22 The Nelson Invitational at Stanford University Oct. 23 The Nelson Invitational at Stanford University Oct. 24 The Nelson Invitational at Stanford University

Week 6 Thursday, Oct. 7 San Benito 19, Browns. Rivera 15 Weslaco East 61, Browns Lopez 26 Friday, Oct. 8 District 30-5A Sharyland 26, Nikki Rowe 21 La Joya 49, McAllen High 19 McAllen Memorial 24, Rio Grande 13 District 31-5A Donna 42, PSJA 14 Edinburg North 25, Weslaco 23 Edinburg High 38, PSJA North 26 District 32-5A Harl. High 35, Los Fresnos 21 Harl. South 56, Browns.Hanna 7 Browns.Pace 53, Browns. Porter 0 District 32-4A Roma 15, Mission 14 Edcouch Elsa 41, Mercedes 3 Mission Vets 28, PSJA Memorial 26 District 32-3A Port Isabe 37, Lyford 0 Rio Hondo 23, Hidalgo 6 Raymondville 14, Progreso 7 District 32-2A Bishop 13, La Villa 8 District 32-A Santa Maria 41, Bruni 0 Idle: Edinburg Economedes, La Feria Week 7 Thursday, Oct. 14 District 30-5A La Joya at McAllen Memorial District 31-5A Donna at Edinburg Economedes District 32-5A Harlingen High at Brownsville Hanna District 32-4A Weslaco East at PSJA Memorial Friday, Oct. 15 District 30-5A Rio Grande City at Nikki Rowe McAllen High at Sharyland District 31-5A Weslaco at PSJA Edinburg at Edinburg North District 32-5A Brownsville Pace at San Benito Los Fresnos at Brownsville Porter Browns. Rivera at Harlingen South District 32-4A Mercedes at Roma Mission Vets at Edcouch Elsa Brownsville Lopez at Mission District 32-3A Rio Hondo at La Feria Progreso at Lyford Port Isabel at Raymondville District 32-2A Hebbronville at Santa Rosa Riviera at La Villa

UTPA VOLLEYBALL Tuesday, Oct. 12 UTPA FIELDHOUSE UTPA DEF. A&M CORPUS CHRISTI

30-22, 30-24, 31-29 UTPA: kills, Heather Bravo 16; assists, Karen Lyons 36; digs, Carol Marcengo 20; blocks, Stephanie Redd 3; aces, Carol Marcengo 2, record: (7-9) A&M: kills Ashley McDonald 12; assists, Fernanda Bastos 21; digs, Kati Broom 17; blocks Alexis Berger 5; aces Anna Machado 1, Kati Broom 1 record: (14-9)

NEWS

October 14, 2004

Page 12

ASBESTOS

continued from page 3

Asbestos in Buildings About 20 percent of all public and commercial buildings in the U.S. contain some asbestos material. In about two-thirds of those buildings, at least some of the material is damaged.

Health Effects of Asbestos: Causes cancer (most common is lung cancer), but also causes cancer of the mouth and throat areas, larynx, esophagus, stomach, colon, rectum and kidneys.

Causes a progressively crippling lung disease called asbestosis. Not a cancer, but it is caused by the scarring of the lung tissue by asbestos fibers.

Source: Safety and Health Department, International Brotherhood of Teamsters

Franco Caballero/The Pan American

POETRY- Erika Garza, sophomore Spanish major, recites “La Bailarina Española” by Jose Marti, at the Student Union Theater Tuesday. The event was hosted by Asociacion Cultural de Teatro Universitario en Español (ACTUE) and Asociacion de Futuros Maestros en Español (AFME) to celebrate National Hispanic Month.

FISHER

classes on campus and off campus quarters since the beginning of spring 2004.

Classes have been held in the Teachers Academy on Sugar Road, Old Lamar elementary school.

“We borrowed a couple of classes from Region One Education Service Center that is located on Schunior Road and the Annex building on U.S. Highway 281,” Medrano said.

During the nine-month renovation

process three portable buildings on Van Week Street held faculty offices and two computer labs, one for graduate students and one for undergraduate, she added.

Condit understands the inconvenience, and apologized for the delays. But he reiterated that they were unexpected and that he still considers the project a success.

According to the education administration, as of Sept. 20, the education students were placed back into the buildings and classes are continuing.

continued from page 3

what he went through are important. Growing up, he didn’t have anyone to relate to.

“When I was a kid, I don’t know if I even saw a foster child do something important, I had no one to look up to,” Fisher said.

Having created his own voice in his screenplay, Fisher feels it’s important to inspire people to not give up despite their situation. After he finished his screenplay and the 2003 movie “Antwone Fisher,” He returned to his hometown to accept an honorary doctorate from Cleveland State University.

“I came back in a limousine down the same street where I was homeless, where I used to stay to keep warm,” Fisher said.

“I used to sneak around the university and now I was standing in front of them (Cleveland State University graduates) with something to say.”

The biggest message Fisher said he wants to leave with people is that anything is possible no matter the individual or the circumstances.

“The world is bigger than McAllen and this area—sure it’s a big state, but this world is bigger than Texas,” he said. “You can go anywhere and see some things and meet some people.”

Like many employees on the Sony Pictures lot, Fisher, then a security guard, was an inspiring screenwriter. After beginning his search for his family when he first started working for the film company, Fisher was successful. He ended up finding an aunt who eventually led him to family members all across the country. With this discovery, he was compelled to go meet them.

Fisher, a new employee, told employers his story before leaving to meet with his family. When he came back, he was told Sony Pictures wanted to buy his story.

“I went to a gas station, bought some legal pads and wrote my story by hand,” Fisher recalled.

He typed his first draft of the story after being encouraged by a producer from Twentieth Century Fox. It sold for $250,000.

“Somewhere along the way, I got the idea of never giving up,” he told the audience at the UTPA Student Union Theater.

The screenplay was directed by Denzel Washington and starred Derek Luke, a former candy store employee of Sony Pictures, who stars in “Friday Night Lights.”

The main theme of Fisher’s calm, conversational lecture was to encourage students to hang in there. So why didn’t he ever give up? He said his foster mother constantly told him he’d never amount to anything.

“I decided early on I never wanted her to be right,” he explained.

As media and people across the country hail Fisher for his courage and ability to thrive despite his childhood, Fisher said he doesn’t really feel like he deserves the praise.

“I don’t feel like a survivor, we all have to go through things, we all have to live life,” he said. “The sun doesn’t always shine, when times get difficult, that’s when you should put your thinking cap on.”

Fisher concluded his lecture with a short story about how far he’s come and how he’s prove his foster mother wrong.

“I grew up from being born in prison, not having a real childhood, to come as far as I’ve come,” he said.

He recently met with Sen. Hillary Clinton, Gov. Jebb Bush and President George W. Bush on separate occasions to discuss his life and his book.

“I just remember thinking to myself, ‘I wasn’t going to amount to anything?’” he said. “I should call my foster parents and say ‘Holla atcha boy!’”

The next speaker will be Dr. Oscar Arias, Nobel Peace Prize winner and former president of Costa Rica, on Monday Nov. 15.

October 14, 2004

NEWS

Page 5

Gun control: The bottom line about Brady Expiration of act brings controversy to elections

By RAUL CERVANTES The Pan American When the Federal Violent Crime Control Act of 1994 expired on Sept. 13, the issue became part of heated debates during this year’s presidential campaign.

The 10-year ban on weapons ended, putting back on the market weapons deemed “assault rifles” by the Brady Bill. As with all political issues, there are arguments regarding gun control. The National Rifle Association and the Brady Campaign have squared off to make this one of the most public and controversial matters of the race.

According to John Champine, a certified gun reseller from Pharr, an assault rifle is defined as a semi-automatic weapon with certain ergonomic or cosmetic features.

“The main prohibitions of the ban were strictly cosmetic and were only in place because the rifles resemble military weapons,” Champine said.

A weapon is deemed an assault rifle when it has a detachable magazine and possesses two or more of these features: a collapsible stock, pistol grip, flash suppressor, bayonet mount and grenade launcher. In the opinion of Champine, these features do not make a rifle any more or less lethal, only more tedious to use.

“By limiting the number of cartridges a magazine can hold to 10, all the legislation did was make people buy more magazines and have to reload more during their shooting sessions,” Champine said. “The other banned features did not make the gun any less powerful.”

A reason many gun enthusiasts were upset with the ban was that the process put in place by the government is meant to prevent guns from ending up in the wrong hands. In order to buy any firearm, a potential buyer must go through an extensive federal background check in order to be able to buy a weapon whether it is defined as an assault rifle or not.

“Many qualified buyers lost their right to purchase these weapons because of criminals,” Champine said.

The expiration of the ban is something of concern for many police precincts across America, but Sgt. Joel Morales of the

Banned Features Federal Violent Crime Control Act of 1994 banned a detachable magazine and two or more of these features.

Heat Shield

Flash Suppressor

Collapsible/Adjustable Stock

Bayonet Mount Detachable Magazine

McAllen Police Department, said that the McAllen area is generally safe and is not plagued with assault rifle crimes.

“The expiration of the ban may or may not have an impact in the McAllen area,” Morales said. “Assault rifle crimes are not frequent at all here and they weren’t before the ban was in place so there is no reason to believe that will change with the expiration.”

According to Morales crimes with assault rifles, like the murder of a security guard at South Texas College on Jan. 13, 1998, make up an extremely small percentage and were committed with illegally obtained weapons. In these cases, whether the ban was in place or not did not make a difference.

Pistol Grip

What does concern Morales and police officers across America is the possibility of accidents as a result of inexperienced handling.

“These weapons are very powerful and an inexperienced user may not be able handle it properly,” he said. “Even though the weapon was obtained legally, in those cases, the prospect of accidental firings is probably what we have to worry about the most.”

The U.S. Census Bureau classifies violent crimes into categories of murder, forcible rape, robbery and aggravated assault, and not by weapons used in the crime. It is very difficult to attribute any rise or fall in crime to the ban or its expiration.

Morales said the McAllen system is organized the same way.

John Stanley, a local hunter, takes into account both sides of the issue, stating that the guns do have the potential to be dangerous even in non-criminal situations, but so do all firearms. Even though he does not own any of the weapons banned under the Brady Bill he believes that -Sgt. Joel Morales, most buyers do know what they are McAllen Police Dept. doing with their firearms.

“When bans like this are put into effect, the people that miss out on the most are the genuine enthusiasts, hunters and sportsmen,” said Stanley. “When you get down to it, bans like this one are infringing personal freedoms.”

This year’s presidential candidates appear to be for gun control, but their actions and their speeches make their stance unclear. According to www.JohnKerry.com, Sen. John Kerry would like to see these weapons off the streets as quickly as possible. President George W. Bush has stated that he has a strong belief of an individual’s right to own guns, but did not pressure Congress to have the ban renewed. Neither candidate has mentioned this issue in recent debates.

When such things as lives and Second Amendment rights are at stake, genuine concerns must be addressed. Police officers like Morales will worry about the former and enthusiasts like Stanley will fight for the latter. This year the race for Washington will tell us just how much enthusiasts, victim’s families and police officers are willing to voice their concerns through the power of their vote.

“These weapons are very powerful and an inexperienced user may not be able handle it properly.”

Franco Caballero/The Pan American

LISTEN UP- Antwone Fisher smiles at the audience yesterday at the Student Union Theater. During the presentation he reminisced on the anecdotes and experiences behind his story, what he had to do to survive, and the man that he became as a result.

Volunteers Needed The Pan American is now searching for new blood. Those interested in writing, taking pictures or working on design should e-mail gareyjup@aol.com. Volunteer positions are available, and can lead to paid positions within a semester.

Joel de la Rosa/The Pan American

SHOW PRIDE- Veronica Zavala, sophomore biology major and Blanca Cuc, sophomore nursing major, from Sigma Lambda Gamma National Sorority decorate a truck during Spirit Week.

Various organzations participated in the festivities which end on Friday with Midnight Madness.

October 14, 2004

NEWS

Page 6

NEWS

October 14, 2004

WOMEN

Page 11

continued from page 1

Women’s Voting Facts Single women: largest demographic group that under-registers and under-votes in the U.S. There were almost 22 million unmarried women eligible to vote in 2000, but did not.

If single women participated in the electoral process at the same rate as either average voters or their married sisters, they would dramatically change the outcome of elections and the course of this country.

Source: 1000flowers.org Underrepresentation in various areas is another reason Guerra said it is important for her voice to be heard.

“I think that coming from a farm working background and seeing how farm workers were always invisible people. I guess that made me stronger wanting to make sure that those invisible people get represented at every level and any level, especially women,” Guerra said.

Guerra is passionate about sex education in schools and the present administration is not helping the issue, according to her.

“For this particular election I think that our present president has screwed up so bad,” Guerra said. “He has stepped on every single one of my toes. For example, he has taken money from sex education at school and made it totally impossible to educate adolescents in school about sex and STDs (Sexually Transmitted

HUNGER

Diseases) and the ramifications of being sexually active.”

And it isn’t only money taken from sex education that has peeved Guerra. “[Taking money away from] any kind of program where we educate women to protect themselves and I am not talking about children; I am talking about women in general,” Guerra said.

“Money that is going to educate women on family planning on any kind of things or any kind of reproductive rights.”

The war and terrorism is something Guerra is going to take into consideration when making her decision for this year’s elections.

“If going out to vote is going to get us out of Iraq and stop the terrorism about anybody of color, especially Middle Easterners, I will go out and vote and I will drag anyone along with me to come out and vote,” Guerra said.

Melisa Martinez/The Pan American

COMING OUT - Various students offer their signatures Monday in the Student Union, as part of National Coming Out Day in memory of Matthew Shepard, who was killed in 1998.

continued from page 1

Food bank clients have to choose between...

prescription drugs, thereby reducing the quality and longevity of life.”

Esperanza R. Briones, dietetics coordinator, also explained how hunger can cause malnutrition.

“Hunger in America is an involuntary lack of access to sufficient food due to poverty or constrained resources, which can lead to malnutrition over time,” Briones said. “Children and adults go hungry and chronic mild under nutrition does occur when financial resources are low. Inadequate food intakes can be harmful and can have effects on learning, development, productivity, physical and physiological and psychological health, and family life.”

According to “Nourishing the Future, The Case for Community-based Nutrition Research in the Lower Rio Grande Valley,” in Cameron, Hidalgo,

Starr and Willacy counties 40 percent of households experienced food insecurity and 20 percent had experienced food insecurity with hunger within a 12-month period.

Briones also mentioned that since the Valley has a very high unemployment rate and low-income levels, hunger and obesity are common problems.

“In 2000, 33 to 51 percent of the people in the lower Rio Grande Valley had incomes below the federal poverty threshold,” Briones said. “Living below the poverty line has negative effects, particularly on children. Without financial resources, there will be hunger. So hunger is a problem, especially here. Obesity is another problem. It is less expensive or cheaper to buy foods that are high fat, high sugar that will satisfy hunger pangs quickly.”

She also mentions it is important that people know that food banks are available for those who need them. The Food Bank RGV helps an average of 17,000 people a week.

Ochoa encourages students to contribute to the efforts of Hunger Awareness Week by picking up orange ribbons at the Food Bank and spreading the word about hunger in the area.

“With a donation of just $15 we can feed a family for a week,” Ochoa said. “And we also accept food and school supplies.”

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Page 10

Is product placement a replacement for TV ads?

Non-traditional advertising is becoming the norm on television programs

By AARON LOZANO The Pan American

be a form of marketing that can spark a creative interest.

“I love being creative, I think product placement is great because it's another way to reach your target audience, and sometimes they don't even realize it's advertising,” said senior advertising major Kelli Martinez.

According to executive assistant Shareshtn Senior, of

When Charlie calls the cell phone of his three angels, it is not accidental that the ring tone is familiar in the films, “Charlie’s Angles” and “Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle.”

The Charlie’s Angels movie franchise is powerful, drawing big box office numbers. From an advertising perspective, box office fortune is a golden ticket in terms of marketing. By placing its product in the film, Nokia understood and took advantage of the power of non-traditional advertising like product placement. * BMW in James Bond’s, “The World is not Enough” According to The University of Texas-Pan American advertising pro* Ford in the Fox series, “24” fessor Kimberly Selber, product place* Manolo Blahnik shoes in HBO’s series, “Sex & the ment is when a company pays (either with money or with a product) to have City” their product featured on a television * Ray-Ban Sunglasses in “Risky Business” with Tom show or in a movie. It could also be featured on Web sites, in songs, music Cruise videos, books or video games. * FedEx in Tom Hank's “Castaway” Selber said that the difference between prop and product placement is * AOL in Hanks’ film, “You've Got Mail” whether the company is paid to have its product featured in the program.

In a CNN article "Advertising Crossing Over into Television," posted Sept. 13, product placement, weaving brands and products New York’s AAR Partners, an advertising review agency, into television programs, is being practiced more and more. product placement is becoming popular at a rate that could Coca-Cola brand and AT&T both spend over $26 million permanently replace standard commercials within the next a year in creating a marketing partnership with Fox’s five years.

“American Idol,” according to the advertising agency Standard commercials run the risk of fading out because AdAge. of technology that allows people to fast forward the 30 or 60For those studying advertising, product placement may second spots.

Familiar examples of product placement

“It’s getting very popular, mostly because of TiVo and DVR, which allow viewers to skip commercials,” Senior said. “BMW was the first to do it well, through a five-minute short feature that was done by famous producers.”

Although BMW was the first to do it in terms of fiveminute shorts, Senior also said that the first successful product placement strategy was seen in Steven Spielberg’s film, “ET.” It featured Reeses Pieces, which are now the most popular Halloween candy.

According to Senior, M&M’s brand was first approached with the idea, but declined because they thought “ET” would be a box office failure.

According to Selber, the first "recorded" product placement was in Katherine Hepburn's 1950s film, “The African Queen,” when Gordon's Gin paid to have Hepburn's character toss it overboard.

In music, Selber recalls the reference to the popular caramel popcorn, Cracker Jacks in the 1908 baseball anthem, "Take Me Out to the Ballgame."

But is product placement successful?

Red Stripe beer saw a 50 percent increase in U.S. sales after it was featured in the film, The Firm, according to businessweekonline.com.

"Some strategists and media planners believe product placement to be a very successful and resourceful way of allocating a budget. Movies that later become rentals are seen over and over and over," Selber said. "So there is a longer life span, in that regard. If you are building a brand and reinforcing that brand, having a superstar use your product sure doesn't hurt to reinforce the brand in the mind of the consumer."

A&E

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT ‘Let the Eagle Fly’. . . . . . . 8 & 9 Product Placement . . . . . . . . 10

Film gurus to receive awards at annual festival

By DULCE GONZALEZ The Pan American For film lovers or those who want to join the industry, Austin is the place to be in October when the city celebrates the efforts of individuals involved in film.

The 11th Annual Austin Film Festival (AFF) will take place Oct.14-21. This year's festival will be full of panelists and premiere film screenings.

The AFF will be awarding two significant awards at the Heart of Film Screenwriters Conference as part of the festival.

Barry Levinson, who won the Oscar for Best Director in 1988 for “Rain Man,” will receive the Distinguished Screenwriter Award. He has also directed films like “Good Morning Vietnam” and “Bugsy,” which was nominated for 10 Academy Awards including Best Picture and Best Director. In the past two years he has been the executive producer for movies such as “Envy” and “Analyze That.”

Actor Garry Shandling, who has made an impact on both television and film, will receive the Outstanding Television Writer Award. He has acted in movies like “What Planet Are You From?” and “Hurlburly,” and has made guest appearances on shows like “Saturday Night Live,” “Dennis Miller Live” and “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.”

According to Maya Perez, AFF conference director, Shandling was chosen to be part of AFF because of his contributions to comedy television.

"Garry Shandling had a great impact on changing the face of comedy television," Perez said.

Levinson and Shandling will join over 80 industry professionals at the Screenwriters Conference, which features over 65 panels along with film industry and craft sessions varying in topics. Along with film premieres it will feature question-and-answer sessions with the cast and crew. Perez said that award recipients and festival participants are chosen for the difference they have made in film and television.

"We pick people who have made contributions and an impact in film and television," Perez said.

Festival attendees will see that it is not only about entertainment, but is also an educational experience with different panels addressing topics such as documentaries, adapting books to film, dealing with writer's block and writing comedy. It will also feature discussions about just about every aspect of filmmaking.

Attending the AFF is a great opportunity to meet individuals in the industry, and panelists chosen for the conference are people who have created great projects. One of the featured panelists is Adam McKay, four-year head writer for “Saturday Night Live.” He also the wrote and directed Will Ferrell’s “Anchorman.”

Other panelists will be Thomas Schlamme, the co-creator and writer for the popular NBC television series “The West Wing,” and Andrew Stanton, who wrote all the Pixar movies, such as “Finding Nemo” and “Toy Story.”

Perez said that the week-long event screens over 100 films, and some of the confirmed films are “Stage Beauty,” “The Life and Death of Peter Sellers” and “Chrystal,” as well as music documentaries “Lightning in a Bottle” and “The Nomi Song.”

According to Perez, the AFF is a non-profit organization and the first festival dedicated to screenwriters in the industry. She said that it took a year to set up, and was planned by a core crew of 10 people with the help of volunteers and student interns from St. Edward's University and The University of Texas at Austin.

This year Perez expects about 2,000 attendees including summer filmmakers, film writers and people who just love movies. She encourages all those who are truly interested in film to attend the event.

"Anyone who has any interest in the business of screenwriting or film making would find this [festival] inspiring, informative and educational," Perez said.

Vince Leal, a senior performance film major at UTPA, feels that film festivals are important. He has participated in approximately 12 student films and has directed five.

Leal explained that his experience with the film-making process has given him the opportunity to be creative and learn a lot about himself.

According to Leal, film festivals are important because they showcase talent and often deal with important issues. He said that actors who wouldn't otherwise be discovered are given exposure in independent films.

"It's like a treasure chest of new talent behind the camera and in front of it," Leal said.

The 25-year-old also stressed that it gives people the opportunity to watch independent films treating controversial issues not portrayed on the big screen. He also added that independent films help open people's eyes to different realities.

"Motion pictures only show what America is ready to see or what corporate America wants us to see, but it's not necessarily what is out there," Leal said.

The conference will take place at the Driskill and Stephen F. Austin hotels in downtown Austin.

The film screenings will be at the Dobie Landmark Theatre, The Hideout, Regal Arbor, and the IMAX Theater.

For more information log onto www.austinfilmfestival.com or call 1800-310-FEST.

The University of Texas-Pan American Dance Department Fall Performance Schedule

All photos courtesy of www.austinfilmfestival.com

October 14, 2004

UTPA Modern Dance Ensemble Nov. 11 at 7:30 p.m.

Nov. 12 at 7:30 p.m.

Nov. 13 at 7:30 p.m.

Nov. 14 at 2 p.m.

UTPA Folkloric Dance Company Dec. 3 at 7:30 p.m.

Dec. 4 at 2 p.m.

All concerts will be held in the UTPA Fine Arts Auditorium.

Tickets can be purchased in the Student Services Building, Rm. 115.

Eduardo Martinez/The Pan American

1

2

3

4

NEW FLICKS- (top) “The Nomi Song” will be screened at the Austin Film Festival (AFF). It is a musical documentary about the 1980s musician Klaus Nomi, and has been promoted with the tagline “He came from outer space to save the human race.”

1) “The Life and Death of Peter Sellers,” starring Geoffrey Rush, Charlize Theron, Emily Watson and John Lithgow, will premiere at the AFF. It is an adaptation of Roger Lewis’ book about Sellers who played Inspector Clouseau in the “Pink Panther” movies.

2) Katsuri Otomo’s “Steamboy,” which took eight years to be completed, will also premiere at the festival in October. This is Otomo’s first major film in 10 years, since directing the acclaimed 1988 anime, “Akira.”

3) This year the AFF is awarding the Distinguished Screenwriter Award to a man of many film trades, producer, director, writer and actor Barry Levinson. He will also present his film “Liberty Heights,” which stars Adrien Brody.

4) Eighty-year-old B.B. King is one of seven blues artists featured in Antoine Fuqua’s “Lightning in a Bottle.” The documentary also features Buddy Guy, Ruth Brown, Aerosmith, Mavis Staples, Natalie Cole and Bonny Raitt.

Page 8

The eagle will fly

d

Story by Christina Harris Cesar Chavez was best known for dedicating

his life to the rights of migrant farm workers.

“Let the Eagle Fly,” the new musical from the University Theatre at The University of TexasPan American, chronicles the life of Chavez and outlines his contribution to the founding of a farm workers union.

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

October 14, 2004

“The organization provides federally funded legal services to ‘eligible’ farm workers,” she said. “There they help the farm workers with such employment issues [as] wages, field sanitation, work and housing conditions, and worker’s compensation.”

She also believes that farm laborers have one of the most dangerous jobs on the planet.

“Although the language we use today has changed, essentially farm workers are the ‘peasants’ of the world, and yet, they feed the world,” the older Guerra said. “They do back-breaking work for extremely low wages.”

She said that 70 percent of farm workers in the United States are from Mexico, and that most are treated unfairly.

“Looking at the history of farm work in the [United States] you will see that Mexicans have been welcomed into the country to do farm work,” Guerra explained. “But the [United States] is not willing to give these people the same rights and benefits as other workers.”

She recognizes that Chavez organized the United Farm Workers (UFW) union based in California, along with co-founder Dolores Huerta, and said that his legacy is important because he helped to organize the workers.

“He showed farm workers that their individual sufferings were bigger and were a form of discrimination upon all farm workers,” she said. “He motivated farm workers to see the value of their work, to see that they could enforce the rules if they organized together to demand the minimal treatment they were due.”

As part of several organizations that fight for the rights of migrants, the law clerk also feels that several problems exist today with the treatment of farm workers but that everyone can help fix it.

“What is important to keep in mind about all this, is that if you eat, you are part of the problem,” Guerra said. “Everyone is affected, therefore everyone can be part of the solution by getting involved in their local/state politics to make sure that their tax dollars are spent on enforcing the rules instead of just building more buildings or businesses or roads.”

The local union in the Rio Valley, called La Union del Mellado, actor Grande Pueblo Entero (LUPE), which means “the union of the entire city,” serves many different purposes. According to the LUPE Web site, these include improving the quality of life in the poverty-stricken colonias, or unincorporated neighborhoods and providing legal and social services all across the Valley. The organization credits Chavez for his dedication to the farm worker unions. The Valley has had its share of farm worker activism through the years, including in the late 1960s, and the 1979 onion strike in HISTORICAL EDUCATION Raymondville.

Marian Monta, artistic director of the University Theatre, said Mark Guerra, who plays the foreman in the musical, said that performing in the show has taught him more about the life of a that the play has been a huge enterprise for the theatre and she migrant farm worker making him reflect on his family’s experiences with migrants and their rights.

“I have learned that a lot of the workers were treated a lot worse than I thought they were,” Guerra said. “My portrayal of the foreman is an extreme version of the stereotype, but not all foremen are bad.”

Guerra’s father had a different experience as a migrant with his foreman. He said that during his father’s time as a migrant, his dad and his foremen were more like friends, although he still lived in a small shack with 12 other men.

Guerra is excited to perform because this particular play intertwines his interest in theater with his sister’s passion for farm worker rights.

His older sister, Lisa Guerra, is a law clerk for both the Farmworker Justice Fund (FJF) in Washington D.C. and the Friends of Farmworkers in Philadelphia. She received two fellowships to work with both groups for the summer.

According to the FJF Web site, the organization has been “helping empower migrant and seasonal farm workers to improve their wages and working conditions, labor and immigration policy, health and safety, and access to justice.”

The Friends of Farmworkers organization, according to its website, also aims to improve the living and working conditions of farmworkers, mushroom workers, food processing workers and workers from immigrant and migrant communities.

Before the female Guerra’s experiences with the two organizations, she was an outreach paralegal with the Farmworker Unit of Legal Aid of North Carolina. There she said she worked with farm workers (or growers) traveling around the state visiting rural camps and getting chased away by growers.

The play will run in the Albert L. Jeffers Theatre in the Communication Arts and Sciences building, from Oct. 13-17. The show premiered last night and runs through Saturday at 8 p.m., with a 2 p.m. matinee on Sunday.

Actor Gustavo Mellado was brought down for a one-semester stint by the Maryalice Shary Shivers Fine Arts Fund as a guest artist and lecturer. He is reprising the role of Chavez, which he played in the Chicago production.

The guest director of the musical, Ricardo Gutierrez, is also from the Chicago production. He directed Mellado originally in the Goodman production in Chicago.

Mellado said that he plays Chavez based on everything he learned about him. “[Chavez] had a good heart, he was compassionate and he always believed in non-violence,” Mellado said. “It’s very commendable because he never gave up. I’m sure he considered his life like any normal human being, believing in fairness.”

Chavez was born in Yuma, AZ in 1927. When his family lost their business and was forced to move to California to pursue work Chavez began toiling as a farm worker. In 1948 he married Helen Fabela, and decided to fight for the rights of migrant farm workers leading protests against low wages and poor working conditions.

Ten years later, Chavez was named general director of the Community Service Organization, where he made speeches supporting workers’ rights. In 1962, Chavez formed his own organization, the National Farm Workers Association (NFWA) that would later be called United Farm Workers (UFW).

Now, 40 years later, Chavez’s union still fights for the rights of migrants.

Even after his death in 1993, the UFW remains a powerful force in protecting workers’ rights.

Mellado wishes he had Chavez’s patience and respects his ability to inspire other people.

“I admire anyone who does things that seem to be beyond their reach and -Gustavo somehow do it,” Mellado said.

The show was performed on Monday and Tuesday for high school students, and opened for the general public last night. Mellado said that the musical is great for students to see for its educational value.

“We’re hoping to teach the students what Cesar Chavez stood for—justice, fairness and equal rights.”

T

“We’re hoping to teach the students what Cesar Chavez stood for—justice, fairness, and equal rights.”

Page 9 encourages people of all ages to attend.

“It is already an interesting learning experience for our students, on and off stage, who are involved in this play,” Monta said.

“It should be educational for our audience too, both in learning more about Cesar Chavez, the icon, and in seeing how a new musical comes to life.”

Courtesy of google.com

DEVOTION- (above) Poster promoting performances of “Let the Eagle Fly.” (below from left) Jeffery Colin from Alvarez Elementary plays Young Cesar as well as Young Paul, and Patrick Martinez from Travis Middle School plays Young Richard. The two boys are singing a prayer.

Joel De La Rosa/The Pan American

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

_______________________________ UNITE- (from left) People such as Dolores Huerta (Cyndi Torres), Cesar Chavez (Gustavo Mellado) and Helen (Annette Perez) join in an effort to unite farm workers. _______________________________

Joel De La Rosa/The Pan American

October 14, 2004

Page 8

The eagle will fly

d

Story by Christina Harris Cesar Chavez was best known for dedicating

his life to the rights of migrant farm workers.

“Let the Eagle Fly,” the new musical from the University Theatre at The University of TexasPan American, chronicles the life of Chavez and outlines his contribution to the founding of a farm workers union.

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

October 14, 2004

“The organization provides federally funded legal services to ‘eligible’ farm workers,” she said. “There they help the farm workers with such employment issues [as] wages, field sanitation, work and housing conditions, and worker’s compensation.”

She also believes that farm laborers have one of the most dangerous jobs on the planet.

“Although the language we use today has changed, essentially farm workers are the ‘peasants’ of the world, and yet, they feed the world,” the older Guerra said. “They do back-breaking work for extremely low wages.”

She said that 70 percent of farm workers in the United States are from Mexico, and that most are treated unfairly.

“Looking at the history of farm work in the [United States] you will see that Mexicans have been welcomed into the country to do farm work,” Guerra explained. “But the [United States] is not willing to give these people the same rights and benefits as other workers.”

She recognizes that Chavez organized the United Farm Workers (UFW) union based in California, along with co-founder Dolores Huerta, and said that his legacy is important because he helped to organize the workers.

“He showed farm workers that their individual sufferings were bigger and were a form of discrimination upon all farm workers,” she said. “He motivated farm workers to see the value of their work, to see that they could enforce the rules if they organized together to demand the minimal treatment they were due.”

As part of several organizations that fight for the rights of migrants, the law clerk also feels that several problems exist today with the treatment of farm workers but that everyone can help fix it.

“What is important to keep in mind about all this, is that if you eat, you are part of the problem,” Guerra said. “Everyone is affected, therefore everyone can be part of the solution by getting involved in their local/state politics to make sure that their tax dollars are spent on enforcing the rules instead of just building more buildings or businesses or roads.”

The local union in the Rio Valley, called La Union del Mellado, actor Grande Pueblo Entero (LUPE), which means “the union of the entire city,” serves many different purposes. According to the LUPE Web site, these include improving the quality of life in the poverty-stricken colonias, or unincorporated neighborhoods and providing legal and social services all across the Valley. The organization credits Chavez for his dedication to the farm worker unions. The Valley has had its share of farm worker activism through the years, including in the late 1960s, and the 1979 onion strike in HISTORICAL EDUCATION Raymondville.

Marian Monta, artistic director of the University Theatre, said Mark Guerra, who plays the foreman in the musical, said that performing in the show has taught him more about the life of a that the play has been a huge enterprise for the theatre and she migrant farm worker making him reflect on his family’s experiences with migrants and their rights.

“I have learned that a lot of the workers were treated a lot worse than I thought they were,” Guerra said. “My portrayal of the foreman is an extreme version of the stereotype, but not all foremen are bad.”

Guerra’s father had a different experience as a migrant with his foreman. He said that during his father’s time as a migrant, his dad and his foremen were more like friends, although he still lived in a small shack with 12 other men.

Guerra is excited to perform because this particular play intertwines his interest in theater with his sister’s passion for farm worker rights.

His older sister, Lisa Guerra, is a law clerk for both the Farmworker Justice Fund (FJF) in Washington D.C. and the Friends of Farmworkers in Philadelphia. She received two fellowships to work with both groups for the summer.

According to the FJF Web site, the organization has been “helping empower migrant and seasonal farm workers to improve their wages and working conditions, labor and immigration policy, health and safety, and access to justice.”

The Friends of Farmworkers organization, according to its website, also aims to improve the living and working conditions of farmworkers, mushroom workers, food processing workers and workers from immigrant and migrant communities.

Before the female Guerra’s experiences with the two organizations, she was an outreach paralegal with the Farmworker Unit of Legal Aid of North Carolina. There she said she worked with farm workers (or growers) traveling around the state visiting rural camps and getting chased away by growers.

The play will run in the Albert L. Jeffers Theatre in the Communication Arts and Sciences building, from Oct. 13-17. The show premiered last night and runs through Saturday at 8 p.m., with a 2 p.m. matinee on Sunday.

Actor Gustavo Mellado was brought down for a one-semester stint by the Maryalice Shary Shivers Fine Arts Fund as a guest artist and lecturer. He is reprising the role of Chavez, which he played in the Chicago production.

The guest director of the musical, Ricardo Gutierrez, is also from the Chicago production. He directed Mellado originally in the Goodman production in Chicago.

Mellado said that he plays Chavez based on everything he learned about him. “[Chavez] had a good heart, he was compassionate and he always believed in non-violence,” Mellado said. “It’s very commendable because he never gave up. I’m sure he considered his life like any normal human being, believing in fairness.”

Chavez was born in Yuma, AZ in 1927. When his family lost their business and was forced to move to California to pursue work Chavez began toiling as a farm worker. In 1948 he married Helen Fabela, and decided to fight for the rights of migrant farm workers leading protests against low wages and poor working conditions.

Ten years later, Chavez was named general director of the Community Service Organization, where he made speeches supporting workers’ rights. In 1962, Chavez formed his own organization, the National Farm Workers Association (NFWA) that would later be called United Farm Workers (UFW).

Now, 40 years later, Chavez’s union still fights for the rights of migrants.

Even after his death in 1993, the UFW remains a powerful force in protecting workers’ rights.

Mellado wishes he had Chavez’s patience and respects his ability to inspire other people.

“I admire anyone who does things that seem to be beyond their reach and -Gustavo somehow do it,” Mellado said.

The show was performed on Monday and Tuesday for high school students, and opened for the general public last night. Mellado said that the musical is great for students to see for its educational value.

“We’re hoping to teach the students what Cesar Chavez stood for—justice, fairness and equal rights.”

T

“We’re hoping to teach the students what Cesar Chavez stood for—justice, fairness, and equal rights.”

Page 9 encourages people of all ages to attend.

“It is already an interesting learning experience for our students, on and off stage, who are involved in this play,” Monta said.

“It should be educational for our audience too, both in learning more about Cesar Chavez, the icon, and in seeing how a new musical comes to life.”

Courtesy of google.com

DEVOTION- (above) Poster promoting performances of “Let the Eagle Fly.” (below from left) Jeffery Colin from Alvarez Elementary plays Young Cesar as well as Young Paul, and Patrick Martinez from Travis Middle School plays Young Richard. The two boys are singing a prayer.

Joel De La Rosa/The Pan American

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

_______________________________ UNITE- (from left) People such as Dolores Huerta (Cyndi Torres), Cesar Chavez (Gustavo Mellado) and Helen (Annette Perez) join in an effort to unite farm workers. _______________________________

Joel De La Rosa/The Pan American

October 14, 2004

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Page 10

Is product placement a replacement for TV ads?

Non-traditional advertising is becoming the norm on television programs

By AARON LOZANO The Pan American

be a form of marketing that can spark a creative interest.

“I love being creative, I think product placement is great because it's another way to reach your target audience, and sometimes they don't even realize it's advertising,” said senior advertising major Kelli Martinez.

According to executive assistant Shareshtn Senior, of

When Charlie calls the cell phone of his three angels, it is not accidental that the ring tone is familiar in the films, “Charlie’s Angles” and “Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle.”

The Charlie’s Angels movie franchise is powerful, drawing big box office numbers. From an advertising perspective, box office fortune is a golden ticket in terms of marketing. By placing its product in the film, Nokia understood and took advantage of the power of non-traditional advertising like product placement. * BMW in James Bond’s, “The World is not Enough” According to The University of Texas-Pan American advertising pro* Ford in the Fox series, “24” fessor Kimberly Selber, product place* Manolo Blahnik shoes in HBO’s series, “Sex & the ment is when a company pays (either with money or with a product) to have City” their product featured on a television * Ray-Ban Sunglasses in “Risky Business” with Tom show or in a movie. It could also be featured on Web sites, in songs, music Cruise videos, books or video games. * FedEx in Tom Hank's “Castaway” Selber said that the difference between prop and product placement is * AOL in Hanks’ film, “You've Got Mail” whether the company is paid to have its product featured in the program.

In a CNN article "Advertising Crossing Over into Television," posted Sept. 13, product placement, weaving brands and products New York’s AAR Partners, an advertising review agency, into television programs, is being practiced more and more. product placement is becoming popular at a rate that could Coca-Cola brand and AT&T both spend over $26 million permanently replace standard commercials within the next a year in creating a marketing partnership with Fox’s five years.

“American Idol,” according to the advertising agency Standard commercials run the risk of fading out because AdAge. of technology that allows people to fast forward the 30 or 60For those studying advertising, product placement may second spots.

Familiar examples of product placement

“It’s getting very popular, mostly because of TiVo and DVR, which allow viewers to skip commercials,” Senior said. “BMW was the first to do it well, through a five-minute short feature that was done by famous producers.”

Although BMW was the first to do it in terms of fiveminute shorts, Senior also said that the first successful product placement strategy was seen in Steven Spielberg’s film, “ET.” It featured Reeses Pieces, which are now the most popular Halloween candy.

According to Senior, M&M’s brand was first approached with the idea, but declined because they thought “ET” would be a box office failure.

According to Selber, the first "recorded" product placement was in Katherine Hepburn's 1950s film, “The African Queen,” when Gordon's Gin paid to have Hepburn's character toss it overboard.

In music, Selber recalls the reference to the popular caramel popcorn, Cracker Jacks in the 1908 baseball anthem, "Take Me Out to the Ballgame."

But is product placement successful?

Red Stripe beer saw a 50 percent increase in U.S. sales after it was featured in the film, The Firm, according to businessweekonline.com.

"Some strategists and media planners believe product placement to be a very successful and resourceful way of allocating a budget. Movies that later become rentals are seen over and over and over," Selber said. "So there is a longer life span, in that regard. If you are building a brand and reinforcing that brand, having a superstar use your product sure doesn't hurt to reinforce the brand in the mind of the consumer."

A&E

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT ‘Let the Eagle Fly’. . . . . . . 8 & 9 Product Placement . . . . . . . . 10

Film gurus to receive awards at annual festival

By DULCE GONZALEZ The Pan American For film lovers or those who want to join the industry, Austin is the place to be in October when the city celebrates the efforts of individuals involved in film.

The 11th Annual Austin Film Festival (AFF) will take place Oct.14-21. This year's festival will be full of panelists and premiere film screenings.

The AFF will be awarding two significant awards at the Heart of Film Screenwriters Conference as part of the festival.

Barry Levinson, who won the Oscar for Best Director in 1988 for “Rain Man,” will receive the Distinguished Screenwriter Award. He has also directed films like “Good Morning Vietnam” and “Bugsy,” which was nominated for 10 Academy Awards including Best Picture and Best Director. In the past two years he has been the executive producer for movies such as “Envy” and “Analyze That.”

Actor Garry Shandling, who has made an impact on both television and film, will receive the Outstanding Television Writer Award. He has acted in movies like “What Planet Are You From?” and “Hurlburly,” and has made guest appearances on shows like “Saturday Night Live,” “Dennis Miller Live” and “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.”

According to Maya Perez, AFF conference director, Shandling was chosen to be part of AFF because of his contributions to comedy television.

"Garry Shandling had a great impact on changing the face of comedy television," Perez said.

Levinson and Shandling will join over 80 industry professionals at the Screenwriters Conference, which features over 65 panels along with film industry and craft sessions varying in topics. Along with film premieres it will feature question-and-answer sessions with the cast and crew. Perez said that award recipients and festival participants are chosen for the difference they have made in film and television.

"We pick people who have made contributions and an impact in film and television," Perez said.

Festival attendees will see that it is not only about entertainment, but is also an educational experience with different panels addressing topics such as documentaries, adapting books to film, dealing with writer's block and writing comedy. It will also feature discussions about just about every aspect of filmmaking.

Attending the AFF is a great opportunity to meet individuals in the industry, and panelists chosen for the conference are people who have created great projects. One of the featured panelists is Adam McKay, four-year head writer for “Saturday Night Live.” He also the wrote and directed Will Ferrell’s “Anchorman.”

Other panelists will be Thomas Schlamme, the co-creator and writer for the popular NBC television series “The West Wing,” and Andrew Stanton, who wrote all the Pixar movies, such as “Finding Nemo” and “Toy Story.”

Perez said that the week-long event screens over 100 films, and some of the confirmed films are “Stage Beauty,” “The Life and Death of Peter Sellers” and “Chrystal,” as well as music documentaries “Lightning in a Bottle” and “The Nomi Song.”

According to Perez, the AFF is a non-profit organization and the first festival dedicated to screenwriters in the industry. She said that it took a year to set up, and was planned by a core crew of 10 people with the help of volunteers and student interns from St. Edward's University and The University of Texas at Austin.

This year Perez expects about 2,000 attendees including summer filmmakers, film writers and people who just love movies. She encourages all those who are truly interested in film to attend the event.

"Anyone who has any interest in the business of screenwriting or film making would find this [festival] inspiring, informative and educational," Perez said.

Vince Leal, a senior performance film major at UTPA, feels that film festivals are important. He has participated in approximately 12 student films and has directed five.

Leal explained that his experience with the film-making process has given him the opportunity to be creative and learn a lot about himself.

According to Leal, film festivals are important because they showcase talent and often deal with important issues. He said that actors who wouldn't otherwise be discovered are given exposure in independent films.

"It's like a treasure chest of new talent behind the camera and in front of it," Leal said.

The 25-year-old also stressed that it gives people the opportunity to watch independent films treating controversial issues not portrayed on the big screen. He also added that independent films help open people's eyes to different realities.

"Motion pictures only show what America is ready to see or what corporate America wants us to see, but it's not necessarily what is out there," Leal said.

The conference will take place at the Driskill and Stephen F. Austin hotels in downtown Austin.

The film screenings will be at the Dobie Landmark Theatre, The Hideout, Regal Arbor, and the IMAX Theater.

For more information log onto www.austinfilmfestival.com or call 1800-310-FEST.

The University of Texas-Pan American Dance Department Fall Performance Schedule

All photos courtesy of www.austinfilmfestival.com

October 14, 2004

UTPA Modern Dance Ensemble Nov. 11 at 7:30 p.m.

Nov. 12 at 7:30 p.m.

Nov. 13 at 7:30 p.m.

Nov. 14 at 2 p.m.

UTPA Folkloric Dance Company Dec. 3 at 7:30 p.m.

Dec. 4 at 2 p.m.

All concerts will be held in the UTPA Fine Arts Auditorium.

Tickets can be purchased in the Student Services Building, Rm. 115.

Eduardo Martinez/The Pan American

1

2

3

4

NEW FLICKS- (top) “The Nomi Song” will be screened at the Austin Film Festival (AFF). It is a musical documentary about the 1980s musician Klaus Nomi, and has been promoted with the tagline “He came from outer space to save the human race.”

1) “The Life and Death of Peter Sellers,” starring Geoffrey Rush, Charlize Theron, Emily Watson and John Lithgow, will premiere at the AFF. It is an adaptation of Roger Lewis’ book about Sellers who played Inspector Clouseau in the “Pink Panther” movies.

2) Katsuri Otomo’s “Steamboy,” which took eight years to be completed, will also premiere at the festival in October. This is Otomo’s first major film in 10 years, since directing the acclaimed 1988 anime, “Akira.”

3) This year the AFF is awarding the Distinguished Screenwriter Award to a man of many film trades, producer, director, writer and actor Barry Levinson. He will also present his film “Liberty Heights,” which stars Adrien Brody.

4) Eighty-year-old B.B. King is one of seven blues artists featured in Antoine Fuqua’s “Lightning in a Bottle.” The documentary also features Buddy Guy, Ruth Brown, Aerosmith, Mavis Staples, Natalie Cole and Bonny Raitt.

October 14, 2004

NEWS

Page 6

NEWS

October 14, 2004

WOMEN

Page 11

continued from page 1

Women’s Voting Facts Single women: largest demographic group that under-registers and under-votes in the U.S. There were almost 22 million unmarried women eligible to vote in 2000, but did not.

If single women participated in the electoral process at the same rate as either average voters or their married sisters, they would dramatically change the outcome of elections and the course of this country.

Source: 1000flowers.org Underrepresentation in various areas is another reason Guerra said it is important for her voice to be heard.

“I think that coming from a farm working background and seeing how farm workers were always invisible people. I guess that made me stronger wanting to make sure that those invisible people get represented at every level and any level, especially women,” Guerra said.

Guerra is passionate about sex education in schools and the present administration is not helping the issue, according to her.

“For this particular election I think that our present president has screwed up so bad,” Guerra said. “He has stepped on every single one of my toes. For example, he has taken money from sex education at school and made it totally impossible to educate adolescents in school about sex and STDs (Sexually Transmitted

HUNGER

Diseases) and the ramifications of being sexually active.”

And it isn’t only money taken from sex education that has peeved Guerra. “[Taking money away from] any kind of program where we educate women to protect themselves and I am not talking about children; I am talking about women in general,” Guerra said.

“Money that is going to educate women on family planning on any kind of things or any kind of reproductive rights.”

The war and terrorism is something Guerra is going to take into consideration when making her decision for this year’s elections.

“If going out to vote is going to get us out of Iraq and stop the terrorism about anybody of color, especially Middle Easterners, I will go out and vote and I will drag anyone along with me to come out and vote,” Guerra said.

Melisa Martinez/The Pan American

COMING OUT - Various students offer their signatures Monday in the Student Union, as part of National Coming Out Day in memory of Matthew Shepard, who was killed in 1998.

continued from page 1

Food bank clients have to choose between...

prescription drugs, thereby reducing the quality and longevity of life.”

Esperanza R. Briones, dietetics coordinator, also explained how hunger can cause malnutrition.

“Hunger in America is an involuntary lack of access to sufficient food due to poverty or constrained resources, which can lead to malnutrition over time,” Briones said. “Children and adults go hungry and chronic mild under nutrition does occur when financial resources are low. Inadequate food intakes can be harmful and can have effects on learning, development, productivity, physical and physiological and psychological health, and family life.”

According to “Nourishing the Future, The Case for Community-based Nutrition Research in the Lower Rio Grande Valley,” in Cameron, Hidalgo,

Starr and Willacy counties 40 percent of households experienced food insecurity and 20 percent had experienced food insecurity with hunger within a 12-month period.

Briones also mentioned that since the Valley has a very high unemployment rate and low-income levels, hunger and obesity are common problems.

“In 2000, 33 to 51 percent of the people in the lower Rio Grande Valley had incomes below the federal poverty threshold,” Briones said. “Living below the poverty line has negative effects, particularly on children. Without financial resources, there will be hunger. So hunger is a problem, especially here. Obesity is another problem. It is less expensive or cheaper to buy foods that are high fat, high sugar that will satisfy hunger pangs quickly.”

She also mentions it is important that people know that food banks are available for those who need them. The Food Bank RGV helps an average of 17,000 people a week.

Ochoa encourages students to contribute to the efforts of Hunger Awareness Week by picking up orange ribbons at the Food Bank and spreading the word about hunger in the area.

“With a donation of just $15 we can feed a family for a week,” Ochoa said. “And we also accept food and school supplies.”

NEWS

October 14, 2004

Page 12

ASBESTOS

continued from page 3

Asbestos in Buildings About 20 percent of all public and commercial buildings in the U.S. contain some asbestos material. In about two-thirds of those buildings, at least some of the material is damaged.

Health Effects of Asbestos: Causes cancer (most common is lung cancer), but also causes cancer of the mouth and throat areas, larynx, esophagus, stomach, colon, rectum and kidneys.

Causes a progressively crippling lung disease called asbestosis. Not a cancer, but it is caused by the scarring of the lung tissue by asbestos fibers.

Source: Safety and Health Department, International Brotherhood of Teamsters

Franco Caballero/The Pan American

POETRY- Erika Garza, sophomore Spanish major, recites “La Bailarina Española” by Jose Marti, at the Student Union Theater Tuesday. The event was hosted by Asociacion Cultural de Teatro Universitario en Español (ACTUE) and Asociacion de Futuros Maestros en Español (AFME) to celebrate National Hispanic Month.

FISHER

classes on campus and off campus quarters since the beginning of spring 2004.

Classes have been held in the Teachers Academy on Sugar Road, Old Lamar elementary school.

“We borrowed a couple of classes from Region One Education Service Center that is located on Schunior Road and the Annex building on U.S. Highway 281,” Medrano said.

During the nine-month renovation

process three portable buildings on Van Week Street held faculty offices and two computer labs, one for graduate students and one for undergraduate, she added.

Condit understands the inconvenience, and apologized for the delays. But he reiterated that they were unexpected and that he still considers the project a success.

According to the education administration, as of Sept. 20, the education students were placed back into the buildings and classes are continuing.

continued from page 3

what he went through are important. Growing up, he didn’t have anyone to relate to.

“When I was a kid, I don’t know if I even saw a foster child do something important, I had no one to look up to,” Fisher said.

Having created his own voice in his screenplay, Fisher feels it’s important to inspire people to not give up despite their situation. After he finished his screenplay and the 2003 movie “Antwone Fisher,” He returned to his hometown to accept an honorary doctorate from Cleveland State University.

“I came back in a limousine down the same street where I was homeless, where I used to stay to keep warm,” Fisher said.

“I used to sneak around the university and now I was standing in front of them (Cleveland State University graduates) with something to say.”

The biggest message Fisher said he wants to leave with people is that anything is possible no matter the individual or the circumstances.

“The world is bigger than McAllen and this area—sure it’s a big state, but this world is bigger than Texas,” he said. “You can go anywhere and see some things and meet some people.”

Like many employees on the Sony Pictures lot, Fisher, then a security guard, was an inspiring screenwriter. After beginning his search for his family when he first started working for the film company, Fisher was successful. He ended up finding an aunt who eventually led him to family members all across the country. With this discovery, he was compelled to go meet them.

Fisher, a new employee, told employers his story before leaving to meet with his family. When he came back, he was told Sony Pictures wanted to buy his story.

“I went to a gas station, bought some legal pads and wrote my story by hand,” Fisher recalled.

He typed his first draft of the story after being encouraged by a producer from Twentieth Century Fox. It sold for $250,000.

“Somewhere along the way, I got the idea of never giving up,” he told the audience at the UTPA Student Union Theater.

The screenplay was directed by Denzel Washington and starred Derek Luke, a former candy store employee of Sony Pictures, who stars in “Friday Night Lights.”

The main theme of Fisher’s calm, conversational lecture was to encourage students to hang in there. So why didn’t he ever give up? He said his foster mother constantly told him he’d never amount to anything.

“I decided early on I never wanted her to be right,” he explained.

As media and people across the country hail Fisher for his courage and ability to thrive despite his childhood, Fisher said he doesn’t really feel like he deserves the praise.

“I don’t feel like a survivor, we all have to go through things, we all have to live life,” he said. “The sun doesn’t always shine, when times get difficult, that’s when you should put your thinking cap on.”

Fisher concluded his lecture with a short story about how far he’s come and how he’s prove his foster mother wrong.

“I grew up from being born in prison, not having a real childhood, to come as far as I’ve come,” he said.

He recently met with Sen. Hillary Clinton, Gov. Jebb Bush and President George W. Bush on separate occasions to discuss his life and his book.

“I just remember thinking to myself, ‘I wasn’t going to amount to anything?’” he said. “I should call my foster parents and say ‘Holla atcha boy!’”

The next speaker will be Dr. Oscar Arias, Nobel Peace Prize winner and former president of Costa Rica, on Monday Nov. 15.

October 14, 2004

NEWS

Page 5

Gun control: The bottom line about Brady Expiration of act brings controversy to elections

By RAUL CERVANTES The Pan American When the Federal Violent Crime Control Act of 1994 expired on Sept. 13, the issue became part of heated debates during this year’s presidential campaign.

The 10-year ban on weapons ended, putting back on the market weapons deemed “assault rifles” by the Brady Bill. As with all political issues, there are arguments regarding gun control. The National Rifle Association and the Brady Campaign have squared off to make this one of the most public and controversial matters of the race.

According to John Champine, a certified gun reseller from Pharr, an assault rifle is defined as a semi-automatic weapon with certain ergonomic or cosmetic features.

“The main prohibitions of the ban were strictly cosmetic and were only in place because the rifles resemble military weapons,” Champine said.

A weapon is deemed an assault rifle when it has a detachable magazine and possesses two or more of these features: a collapsible stock, pistol grip, flash suppressor, bayonet mount and grenade launcher. In the opinion of Champine, these features do not make a rifle any more or less lethal, only more tedious to use.

“By limiting the number of cartridges a magazine can hold to 10, all the legislation did was make people buy more magazines and have to reload more during their shooting sessions,” Champine said. “The other banned features did not make the gun any less powerful.”

A reason many gun enthusiasts were upset with the ban was that the process put in place by the government is meant to prevent guns from ending up in the wrong hands. In order to buy any firearm, a potential buyer must go through an extensive federal background check in order to be able to buy a weapon whether it is defined as an assault rifle or not.

“Many qualified buyers lost their right to purchase these weapons because of criminals,” Champine said.

The expiration of the ban is something of concern for many police precincts across America, but Sgt. Joel Morales of the

Banned Features Federal Violent Crime Control Act of 1994 banned a detachable magazine and two or more of these features.

Heat Shield

Flash Suppressor

Collapsible/Adjustable Stock

Bayonet Mount Detachable Magazine

McAllen Police Department, said that the McAllen area is generally safe and is not plagued with assault rifle crimes.

“The expiration of the ban may or may not have an impact in the McAllen area,” Morales said. “Assault rifle crimes are not frequent at all here and they weren’t before the ban was in place so there is no reason to believe that will change with the expiration.”

According to Morales crimes with assault rifles, like the murder of a security guard at South Texas College on Jan. 13, 1998, make up an extremely small percentage and were committed with illegally obtained weapons. In these cases, whether the ban was in place or not did not make a difference.

Pistol Grip

What does concern Morales and police officers across America is the possibility of accidents as a result of inexperienced handling.

“These weapons are very powerful and an inexperienced user may not be able handle it properly,” he said. “Even though the weapon was obtained legally, in those cases, the prospect of accidental firings is probably what we have to worry about the most.”

The U.S. Census Bureau classifies violent crimes into categories of murder, forcible rape, robbery and aggravated assault, and not by weapons used in the crime. It is very difficult to attribute any rise or fall in crime to the ban or its expiration.

Morales said the McAllen system is organized the same way.

John Stanley, a local hunter, takes into account both sides of the issue, stating that the guns do have the potential to be dangerous even in non-criminal situations, but so do all firearms. Even though he does not own any of the weapons banned under the Brady Bill he believes that -Sgt. Joel Morales, most buyers do know what they are McAllen Police Dept. doing with their firearms.

“When bans like this are put into effect, the people that miss out on the most are the genuine enthusiasts, hunters and sportsmen,” said Stanley. “When you get down to it, bans like this one are infringing personal freedoms.”

This year’s presidential candidates appear to be for gun control, but their actions and their speeches make their stance unclear. According to www.JohnKerry.com, Sen. John Kerry would like to see these weapons off the streets as quickly as possible. President George W. Bush has stated that he has a strong belief of an individual’s right to own guns, but did not pressure Congress to have the ban renewed. Neither candidate has mentioned this issue in recent debates.

When such things as lives and Second Amendment rights are at stake, genuine concerns must be addressed. Police officers like Morales will worry about the former and enthusiasts like Stanley will fight for the latter. This year the race for Washington will tell us just how much enthusiasts, victim’s families and police officers are willing to voice their concerns through the power of their vote.

“These weapons are very powerful and an inexperienced user may not be able handle it properly.”

Franco Caballero/The Pan American

LISTEN UP- Antwone Fisher smiles at the audience yesterday at the Student Union Theater. During the presentation he reminisced on the anecdotes and experiences behind his story, what he had to do to survive, and the man that he became as a result.

Volunteers Needed The Pan American is now searching for new blood. Those interested in writing, taking pictures or working on design should e-mail gareyjup@aol.com. Volunteer positions are available, and can lead to paid positions within a semester.

Joel de la Rosa/The Pan American

SHOW PRIDE- Veronica Zavala, sophomore biology major and Blanca Cuc, sophomore nursing major, from Sigma Lambda Gamma National Sorority decorate a truck during Spirit Week.

Various organzations participated in the festivities which end on Friday with Midnight Madness.

NEWS

October 14, 2004

Page 4

Student Profile: Celine Jones Education major overcomes life obstacles, hopes to inspire students

By CECILIA CASTANEDA The Pan American Celine Jones doesn't believe in the five-second rule, the 10-year rule or any timed rule that makes something useless, unreturnable and forgotten. For her, it has never been too complicated to commit to finish her 10-year attempt for a bachelor's degree.

There were many excuses for putting aside college for another 10 years: an 8-year old boy, and a busy Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) to preside over, an 11-year-old daughter in soccer, Girl Scouts and band. Then there was the sudden responsibility to provide for them after her 10-year relationship with her husband ended in divorce. But her degree still waited, and it had not grown stale.

"I always thought that I could do it on my own," Jones said. "And I finally am. I'm proud of myself.”

Two years ago, Jones, 38, committed to full-time education to finish her bachelor's in education to be an elementary school teacher. She is spending her last semester interning at Velabina Elementary in Edinburg, while working as a secretary for the education department at The University of Texas-Pan American, serving as President of the PTO, and mothering her two kids between their extracurricular activities and school work.

"It's stressful, but that's what makes it worth it in the end," Jones said. "I have to organize my time and use my time wisely, but of course, my kids always come first."

After interning at the elementary for eight hours and working at the university for another three, Jones comes home to help with homework, listen to her daughter practice the flute, and spend time talking with her children.

Yet, time is rare and her children can grow impatient.

"There's been times when they get tired and complain that

I always say 'Wait until I get my degree,'" Jones said. "I tell them that they just need to bear with me because I'm going to school to give them a better life. This is in order for me to be better for them."

Jones was born in Chicago and moved to Edinburg when she was 10 years old. After graduating from high school, Jones moved to Arlington to work at a bank but returned to Edinburg a year later. She started attending UTPA, but decided to quit and stay at home with her child while her husband finished school. Now it is her turn.

"I really wanted to go back," Jones said. "I let my husband finish school and now I had to accomplish this for me and my kids."

The long-running student CELINE f i n d s motivation to continue from her mother, who takes care of her children and encourages Jones to finish school. The dean of the College of Education, Hilda Medrano has also helped Jones achieve her goal.

“She is a very dedicated student, and -Celine Jones she has been raising two children as a single mother,” Medrano said. “While working and going to school she has maintained a high GPA and been able to do this after many obstacles when she was young.”

"The dean knows my life history and she knows how much I've struggled to get where I'm at," Jones said. "It really helps

“ I’m going to graduate.

I know I can do it. I’ve worked hard enough.”

when somebody tells you that they're proud of you."

As a student teacher for kindergartners at Velabina Elementary, Jones assists in teaching the alphabet, phonetic sounds, colors, days of the week, months and weather.

The student teacher uses a different thematic unit each week and repetition to help her students learn new words and concepts.

"I like teaching the kindergartners a lot," Jones said. "You grow attached to the children, especially those who really need you to learn. They steal your heart."

Jones will finish placement in the kindergarten classroom and move to teaching third grade next week. Jones enjoys the third-and fourth-grade curriculum and plans on JONES teaching that after graduating.

"I feel more comfortable with that age and the curriculum," Jones said. "I'm excited for changing to third grade next week. Everything changes when you move grades."

Jones has wanted to teach since junior high, where she joined the Future Teachers of America (FTA). In January, after graduating with her degree, she will accomplish that, and apply for several teaching jobs. Her 10-year effort will end and the bachelor's degree in her hands will be as fresh as it could have been 10 years ago.

“I really admire that she’s not in a hurry,” Medrano said.

“She’s been learning how to become a good teacher.”

"I am going to graduate," Jones said. "I know I can do it.

I’ve worked hard enough."

Mission native conducts motivational seminar

By KERI KLING The Pan American Do you want to dream bigger, reach higher and go further in life? These will be a few of the topics presented

by Dr. Michael Lindquist in his seminar titled, “Destined to Succeed.”

Lindquist, an international speaker, will be coming to UTPA on Oct. 19. The seminar will last from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. and will be held in the Media Theatre.

Lindquist is the founder and president of World Center Inc., a leadership training school located in Mission. He is also the head pastor of Nations Assembly.

According to the World Center Web site, it first began as a ministry training center for those called to reach into the world through missions and church planting.

Today, World Center Ministries includes: The World Center School of Ministry; Nations Assembly, a growing multicultural church and the World Center Leadership Academy, a private Christian school for children.

Some of the topics that will be covered in this seminar are: seven secrets for personal success, keys to winning at work, why some people do the right things yet still fail, and 10 lies about money.

Juan Lino Perez, a junior kinesiology major, recently attended Lindquist’s seminar.

“Dr. Lindquist is an excellent motivational speaker. He challenges people yet also provides very practical steps to

made a difference with my employer,” Shoemaker explained.

This event is being sponsored by World Mandate, a student organization on campus. For more information or for special accommodations, call 318-0277.

“Destined to Succeed” Seminar by Dr. Michael Lindquist

Where: Media Theatre Date: Oct. 19 DR. MICHAEL LINDQUIST reaching success,” Perez said.

Ann Shoemaker, 19, a student at World Center, also attended a seminar recently.

“I was able to put some of the strategies Dr. Lindquist presented into practice the next week at work. It really

Time: 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

SPORTS

October 14, 2004

SPORTS CLIPBOARD USA all the Way

FOR THE RECORD NFL WEEK 3 Sunday, Oct. 10 Detroit 17, Atlanta 10 New York Giant 26, Dallas 10 Indianapolis 35 Oakland 14 noon Minnesota 34, Houston 28 OT New England 24, Miiami 10 Pittsburgh 34, Cleveland 23

The United States men’s soccer team dismantled Panama in Washington 6-0 Wednesday night.

Captain Landon Donovan scored two of the six United States goals while rookie Eddie Johnson added a hat-trick with only 17 minutes to secure the easy victory.

The United States has qualified for the regional finals moving ever closer to qualifying for the 2006 World Cup in Germany, where they hope for sweet redemption against the Germans, who defeated them in the 2000 event.

Killer Bees to play Mexico National Team On Friday, Oct. 15, the Killer Bees will compete against Mexico marking the first time at the Dodge Arena that these two hockey teams have faced off.

It will be the first exhibition home game in franchise history and the first time a CHL team has faced a National Team representing another country.

The Bees are 0-2-0 in exhibition play, as they lost a pair of road games last season each by one goal.

The Mexico National Team is in its fifth season of international competition and come off of a bronze medal finish in the IIHF Division III World Championships, which were held in Iceland. They have a 4-13-1 all-time record in IIHF play.

The game will be broadcast on ESPN Radio 1240 AM, with Wayne Amann providing game commentary. Chris Due, Donny Harron and Jeffrey Salcedo will serve as the broadcasters for Televisa, which will also air the game.

Page 13

Game 3 Saturday, Oct. 16 St. Louis at Houston 4 p.m.

Game 4 Sunday, Oct. 17 St. Louis at Houston, 4 p.m.

Game 5 Monday, Oct. 18 St. Louis at Houston, 8 p.m.

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL

Tampa Bay 20, New Orleans 17 New York Jets 16, Buffalo 14 San Diego 34, Jacksonville 21 St. Louis 33,Seattle 27 OT

UTPA SPORTS WOMEN’S GOLF

San Francisco 31, Arizona 28 OT Denver 20, Carolina 17

Lady Indian Classic Jonesboro C.C., Jonesboro, AR

Baltimore 17, Washington 10

Oct 11-12

open: Cincinnati, Kansas City,

One round-par 72

Philadelphia, Chicago Monday, Oct. 11 Tennessee 48, Green Bay 27

Yardage 6011 1. NorthTexas

309 +21

2. Texas State

313 +25

3. Southern Illinois

314 +26

San Diego at Atlanta, noon

4. UTPA

317 +29

Green Bay at Detroit, noon

5. Northern Iowa

319 +31

Houston at Tennessee, noon

6. Tennessee Tech

321 +33

Miami at Buffalo, noon

T 7. Arkansas State

322 +34

Washington at Chicago, noon

T7. Lamar Univ.

322 +34

San Francisco at N.Y. Jets, noon

T9. McLennan CC

324 +36

Seattle at New England, noon

T9. Sam Houston St.

324 +36

Kansas City at Jacksonville, noon

11. A&M Corpus Christi

325 +37

Cincinnati at Cleveland, noon

12. Nicholls State

334 +46

Carolina at Philadelphia, noon

13. Arkansas Tech

343 +55

Pittsburgh at Dallas, 3:15 p.m.

14. Centenary College

361 +73

Denver at Oakland, 3:15 p.m.

15. Rhodes College

365 +77

Minnesota at New Orleans,7:30p.m.

16. Lyon College

383 +95

Sunday, Oct. 17

open: Indianapolis, Arizona, N.Y. Giants, Baltimore, Monday, Oct. 18 Tampa Bay at St. Louis, 8 p.m.

Note: all times central standard time

Oct. 24

Sam Houston State Tri-Match

Oct. 25

Ellingson/Shu Invitational

Oct. 26

Ellingson/SHSU Invitational

Nov. 8

Lady Bronc Classic

Nov. 9

Lady Bronc Classic

MLB Post-Season MEN’S GOLF

Houston falls to St. Louis First blood goes to St. Louis as the Cardinals outgunned the Houston Astros 10-7 in St. Louis on Wednesday night’s game one of the National League Championship Series.

Carlos Beltran hammered one deep over the right field wall putting the Astros up 2-0 in the top of the first inning.

St. Louis quickly responded as Albert Pujols sent a two-run shot screaming out of the park. Jeff Kent hit a two-run homer in the fourth to put the Astros ahead, but St. Louis was just a little too much. The Astros had a 4-3 lead until the fifth inning, until Jim Edmonds and Scott Rolen started a rally that quickly turned the tide in the sixth for a 10-4 lead.

Houston relievers Chad Qualls and Chad Harville allowed the game to get away as the Cardinals scored six runs in the same inning, which put the Astros down for the count. Lance Berkman and Mike Lamb brought in most of the runs in for Houston late in the game but it was too late.

Game two of the NLCS series will be today at 7 p.m. as the Houston Astros try to even the series at a game apiece with Pete Munro on the mound.

American League Conference Series Game 1 Tuesday, Oct. 12 N.Y. Yankees 10, Boston 7 Game 2 Wednesday, Oct.13 N.Y. Yankees 3, Boston 1 Game 3 Friday, Oct 15 N.Y. Yankees at Boston, 8 p.m Game 4 Saturday, Oct. 16 N.Y. Yankees at Boston, 7:30 p.m.

Game 5 Sunday, Oct. 17 N.Y. Yankees at Boston, 7:30 p.m.

National League Conference Series Game 1 Wednesday, Oct13 St. Louis 10, Houston 7 Game 2 Thursday, Oct. 14 Houston at St. Louis, 8 p.m.

SFA Crown Classic Crown colony C.C., Lufkin,TX Oct. 11-12 Three round-par 72 Yardage 6692 1. Stephen F. Austin

288 284 299 +7

2. Sam Houston

290 296 301 +23

3. McNeese St.

297 293 300 +26

4. Rice Univ.

299 291 313 +39

5. Univ.Missouri

301 308 304 +49

6. UTPA

309 305 315 +65

7. Texas State

308 307 315 +66

8. Centenary

317 309 318 +80

9. SouthWestern

322 319 320 +97

Oct. 22 The Nelson Invitational at Stanford University Oct. 23 The Nelson Invitational at Stanford University Oct. 24 The Nelson Invitational at Stanford University

Week 6 Thursday, Oct. 7 San Benito 19, Browns. Rivera 15 Weslaco East 61, Browns Lopez 26 Friday, Oct. 8 District 30-5A Sharyland 26, Nikki Rowe 21 La Joya 49, McAllen High 19 McAllen Memorial 24, Rio Grande 13 District 31-5A Donna 42, PSJA 14 Edinburg North 25, Weslaco 23 Edinburg High 38, PSJA North 26 District 32-5A Harl. High 35, Los Fresnos 21 Harl. South 56, Browns.Hanna 7 Browns.Pace 53, Browns. Porter 0 District 32-4A Roma 15, Mission 14 Edcouch Elsa 41, Mercedes 3 Mission Vets 28, PSJA Memorial 26 District 32-3A Port Isabe 37, Lyford 0 Rio Hondo 23, Hidalgo 6 Raymondville 14, Progreso 7 District 32-2A Bishop 13, La Villa 8 District 32-A Santa Maria 41, Bruni 0 Idle: Edinburg Economedes, La Feria Week 7 Thursday, Oct. 14 District 30-5A La Joya at McAllen Memorial District 31-5A Donna at Edinburg Economedes District 32-5A Harlingen High at Brownsville Hanna District 32-4A Weslaco East at PSJA Memorial Friday, Oct. 15 District 30-5A Rio Grande City at Nikki Rowe McAllen High at Sharyland District 31-5A Weslaco at PSJA Edinburg at Edinburg North District 32-5A Brownsville Pace at San Benito Los Fresnos at Brownsville Porter Browns. Rivera at Harlingen South District 32-4A Mercedes at Roma Mission Vets at Edcouch Elsa Brownsville Lopez at Mission District 32-3A Rio Hondo at La Feria Progreso at Lyford Port Isabel at Raymondville District 32-2A Hebbronville at Santa Rosa Riviera at La Villa

UTPA VOLLEYBALL Tuesday, Oct. 12 UTPA FIELDHOUSE UTPA DEF. A&M CORPUS CHRISTI

30-22, 30-24, 31-29 UTPA: kills, Heather Bravo 16; assists, Karen Lyons 36; digs, Carol Marcengo 20; blocks, Stephanie Redd 3; aces, Carol Marcengo 2, record: (7-9) A&M: kills Ashley McDonald 12; assists, Fernanda Bastos 21; digs, Kati Broom 17; blocks Alexis Berger 5; aces Anna Machado 1, Kati Broom 1 record: (14-9)

October 14, 2004

SPORTS

Page 14

Tennis women get ready for journey to Aggieland

By JOEY HINOJOSA The Pan American The Lady Bronc tennis team is preparing for the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) Regional Tournament in College Station this weekend. Freshmen Katherine Barto and Silke Buskik will represent UTPA at the event.

“Silke and I are going into the tournament aware of the fact that we are going against some of the best competition we will face this season,” said Barto. “We have decided to play the best we can and to just have fun doing it.”

Barto and Buskik will be playing doubles together this weekend. Barto feels that good doubles partners know each other well on and off the court.

“Successful doubles involves a lot of communication between you and your partner,” said the Laredo native. “I practice once a week with my doubles partner and we have just begun this season playing together.”

Players train six days a week to help improve their game.

“Our daily routine includes a light warm-up, occasional match play, individual needs (i.e. volleys, serves), and conditioning at the end of every practice,” said Barto. “We practice Monday through Saturday for three hours each day.”

The love of the game started for Barto when she was nine years old, and she has carried that enjoyment of tennis into her collegiate career. She has only been a part of the Lady

Broncs team for a short time, but she feels she is already learning from the program.

“I have learned to better manage my time now that I am part of a team,” said Barto. “In order to keep up with academics and athletics and be successful at both, it is important that I learn when and how to do each one well.”

Barto believes she has learned a lot from the sport she has played for nearly a decade, and feels she can apply those lessons to her life outside tennis.

“One of the main things that I try to live by in my everyday life that is essential in tennis is patience,” she said. “Good tennis involves a great deal of patience.

Barto also thinks that to be competitive at tennis one needs to stay focused on getting better.

“The main thing that you need in order to be Delisa Guadarrama/The Pan American successful at tennis is discipline,” she said.

“You have to want to go out every day and SMASH- Freshman Katherine Barto hits a forehand volley in a recent tennis practice. It is the only way that you can practice. She represents UTPA in College Station Oct. 15-16. improve your game.”

Barto, who made the move from Laredo to attend UTPA, As Barto’s second tournament of her collegiate career draws near, she remains focused as she prepares for the says she does miss certain aspects of her hometown.

“I do miss the city of Laredo a little, but I miss my famiregional meet.

“I just want to go into the tournament calm and ready to ly and friends that live in Laredo a whole lot more,” said Barto. play, that’s all I can do,” said the 18-year-old.

Upstart Patriots take on state-ranked ‘Jackets

By JACOB ALEGRIA The Pan American MISSION- Upsets happen every week in sports. The newfangled Mission Veterans Memorial Patriots are looking to do just that against the tradition-rich Edcouch-Elsa Yellow Jackets Friday.

achieving, but the Pats and their coach don’t totally agree.

“When I came here many people told me that if I won four or five games that would be great and a success,” Longoria said. “I didn’t accept that: I wanted to win a district title or at least compete for one.”

Even though not much was expected from Mission Veterans this year, the Patriots believed they had something to prove

Jacob Alegria/The Pan American

UNBEATEN- Steven Zamora of Mission Veterans Memorial prepares to lead the Patriots against Edcouch-Elsa Friday night.

In their third varsity season the Pats have been a big hit, after posting just two wins in 2002-2003. The team has gone from last to a tie for first under the direction of first-year head coach Carlos Longoria.

Longoria came over from Raymondville and in his first try in Mission has led the team to a 6-0 record heading into this week’s road match against E-E, also 6-0 and ranked No. 9 in the state by the Associated Press. Some say the team is over-

even before the season began. Longoria came in and decided from day one that player attitudes needed to change. During his first meeting with the team he said, “Our goal is to win a district title, but it’s going to take a lot of hard work.”

Longoria preaches to his team every day that in order to be successful, taking care of details will help in achieving greater goals.

“By doing the little things right and working hard, the big things will take care of themselves,” he said.

The Patriots have come together this year and have put themselves in a position to battle for the District 32-4A title, against the high-powered la Maquina Amarilla. This is fairly early in district play to be playing for the district title, but the two teams come in unbeaten overall and competition in the district seems to be limited. No other district team has a winning record.

After starting off the season with a tight 21-19 win against 5A opponent McAllen Memorial the Patriots have beaten teams by an average margin of 16 points since then. They are coming off another tight game against the P-SJ-A Memorial Wolverines, where they managed to escape with a 28-26 hardfought victory. The feisty Wolverines were out in front at halftime with a 14-0 lead, but the Patriots came back to score 28 points led by up-and-coming quarterback Steven Zamora.

Zamora, who had to learn a new offense this year, is finally getting comfortable with it, which was something Longoria was waiting for.

“We saw something special in Steven from the beginning and lately he has been selling out for this team,” said Longoria.

The rest of the team has been selling out along with Zamora and now they enter the biggest game in their short history.

They will need to sell out for this big game, because they now face a state-ranked team. The Jackets have one of the best running backs in the Valley in Fred Loredo, who has rushed for over 1,000 yards and 18 touchdowns.

Longoria knows how good Loredo is, but he insists that E-E is not a one-man team.

“He (Loredo) is a great back, but they have impressive players all over on that team,” he commented.

The Pats have been looking forward to this game for some time, and could have taken P-SJ-A Memorial for granted.

“I think we overlooked the Wolverines a little bit, because we could all see coming the following week,” said Longoria.

No one seems to be giving the Patriots much of a chance against the Jackets, but on the other hand anyone can beat anyone on any given day. This is something Longoria truly believes in.

“They still have to line up and play against us; this is there homecoming and we will go over there and play and let the best team win,” he said. This game should be one of the most important ones of the year on the Valley schedule. On Friday night all of the questions about who is better and who is number one in District 32-4A, will be answered.

NEWS

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Student profile. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

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Lindquist. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

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Gun control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Construction creates growing pains

Asbestos slows down renovations of education building

By RICHARD GARCIA The Pan American Construction on the UTPA campus is virtually everywhere, illustrating that the university is growing, multiplying and expanding. Work that students witness is not limited to new buildings or offices for professors; the renovation of old buildings such as education complexes A and B, located northwest of campus, are part of the growth plan.

However, on Aug. 26, the first day of class for the fall semester, education students found that renovation of the building where their classes were to be held were still not completed.

It may sound strange that the building is not exactly complete but according to Jaime C. Condit, facilities planning and construction manager at UTPA, several technical difficulties have postponed the original renovation completion date of July.

The building, which is about 30 years old, has never gone through a renovation process, Condit explained.

“The notice to proceed was given to the contractor [BFW/ Skaska] on Nov. 12, 2003 to commence work in buildings A & B,” Condit said.

Unfortunately for BFW/Skaska, when the work began, they came across the harmful mineral common in most old or rundown buildings, asbestos.

As they gradually made progress renovating on schedule, a crash was felt and it was not the walls that came down; it was the hopes of finishing on time. Initially the contractors had no idea how much asbestos was in the buildings, they understood that they would come across some, but just how much is ‘some’?

According to Condit, nothing prepared them for what they were about to see.

The black plastic lining that attaches to the buildings walls had major asbestos buildup. Virtually every wall had

contractors’ minds was the grim reality that more asbestos could be in the old building. So they took a close look at chilled water pipelines, which deliver air conditioning.

Condit explained that BFW/Skaska found asbestos clinging to and penetrating the mastic glue that seals the chilled water pipelines from erosion. Clearly something had to be done, so as walls were torn down, construction workers gutted the chilled water pipelines and installed new ones.

Erosion and asbestos were a damper on the process, of renovation. By now, the project was seven weeks behind schedule with the fall semester creeping around the corner.

With July coming to an end, UTPA was waiting to hear from BFW/ Skaska to forward a key bit of the puzzle to UTPA. “Substantial completion is a list of minor repairs to be done to a building,” Condit said. “This allows students, professors and staff to safely operate in the building, without the building being completely renovated.”

But back with the education students’ questions remain.

Where are they now, and how do they feel about the Melissa Martinez/The Pan American situation that they have been through?

Senior Liza Garcia is still upset with the way things were CONSTRUCTION- Problems with asbestos delayed handled in the renovation process. the renovation of the education building project by “One of my professors told us during class that seven weeks. The department has not seen renova- something had happened to the piping,” Garcia said. “Also, tions in 30 years. we had to drive to the Annex Building for three weeks and by the time we got back to the main campus, trying to find a parking space was near impossible.” to be replaced. This delayed the project three weeks and it The Academic and Administrative Support Annex, (Old meant that more walls had to be inspected, torn down and Wal-Mart Building) located at 2412 S. Closner, is a threenew walls placed on order.

Condit also explained that one of the most time- mile drive from the main campus.

This has been an ongoing problem for education students consuming delays came from leaks in the hot and cold pipes. Erosion got the better half of these old pipelines, for nearly nine months.

According to College of Education Dean Dr. Hilda causing “eight to ten leaks,” he said. That alone delayed Medrano, students and professors have been arranged in the completion of the project for four weeks.

Renovation continued, but lingering in the back of the See ASBESTOS page 12

Antwone Fisher visits UTPA, speaks about life and work

By EDWINA P. GARZA The Pan American

Franco Caballero/The Pan American

MEET AND GREET- Lilly Montalvo, sophomore nursing major, greets Antwone Fisher inside the UTPA Ballroom at a luncheon prior to his public appearance in the Student Union Theater Wednesday.

Another celebrity was at The University of Texas-Pan American this week. Last night, Oct. 13, the Distinguished Speakers Series began with Antwone Fisher, screenwriter and author who explained to UTPA faculty and students that the human spirit caries more weight than a person’s living circumstances.

Fisher’s first appearance on campus was at the UTPA Ballroom where he met with a small group of 50 student leaders and faculty before the lecture. A small crowd of excited admirers gathered around Fisher to make his acquaintance with cellular phone cameras and general small talk before the dinner.

Marialicia Andrade, a committee member for the Distinguished Speakers Series introduced Fisher to the small group before a question and answer session.

“He has undoubtedly touched many and most recently me,” Andrade said. “I am so amazed by this wise man, [he’s] very, very friendly; I just want to cry because he’s such a

great person, he’s very honest, it just really touched my life.”

Fisher, 45, was born in prison to a 16-yearold and was immediately given up for adoption; his father died before he was born.

Fisher was sent to a few foster homes before ending up in an orphanage after being mistreated by his foster parents.

Following his high school graduation at the age of 17, Fisher was asked to leave the orphanage to lead his own life. He ended up homeless, sleeping around Cleveland State University and eventually signed up in the Navy. Following 11 years of service in the Navy, Fisher worked with Sony Pictures as a security guard where he later wrote a screenplay based on his life.

“I felt like I needed relief,” Fisher said of his troubled life. “Writing a movie gave me a feeling of relief, and so I decided to write a book afterwards and I began to feel like I can go on with my life.”

According to Fisher, telling his story and letting others who may be in his situation hear

See FISHER page 12

PAGE 2

October 14 2 0 0 4

OPINION

SPORTS

October 14, 2004

letters

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editorials

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cartoons

Page 15

First volleyball home game in a month is a win

By DARYL GONZALES The Pan American

THE

PAN AMERICAN 1201 West University, CAS 170 Edinburg, Texas 78539 (956) 381-2541 Fax: (956) 316-7122 http://www.panam.edu/dept/panamerican 53rd Year – No. 8

Editor Arianna Vazquez gareyjup@aol.com

News Editor Clarissa Martinez clarissa_utpa@ hotmail.com

A & E Editor Omaira Galarza omairang@yahoo.com

Interim Sports Editor Joey Gomez dedhed489@yahoo.com

Graphics Editors Dägoberto Pérez

The PAN AMERICAN is the official student newspaper of The University of Texas-Pan American.

Views presented are those of the writers and do not necessarily reflect those of the university.

WORD BANK- “In the News”

WORD BANK asbestos davenport midnight madness panamerican shuttles white green orange bronc panorama democrat republican brady bill utpa

bachur@mail.com

Ginmarie Mabry

Letters policy

ohnesie@yahoo.com

Photography Editor Franco Caballero photomosaix@aol.com

Copy Editor Dulce Gonzalez bluetinky10@aol.com

Graphic/Web Design Eduardo Martinez emartinez23@panam.edu

Reporters Angela Canales Cecilia Castaneda Emma Clark Edwina P. Garza Daryl Gonzales Christina Harris Joey Hinojosa Aaron Lozano Photographers Delisa Guadarrama Joel de la Rosa Melissa Martinez Secretary Diana Corpus Garza Adviser Dr. Greg Selber

The Pan American gladly accepts letters from students, staff and faculty regarding newspaper content or current issues.

The Pan American reserves the right to edit submissions for grammar and length. Please limit submission length to 300 words. The Pan American cannot publish anonymous letters, or submissions containing hate speech or gratuitous personal attacks. Letters are printed at the discretion of the editor and must include the writer’s name, class/title and phone number.

Readers with disabilities may request an alternative format of this publication at The Pan American business office.

For special assistance to attend any event listed in this publication, contact the coordinator of the event at least one week prior to the advertised date.

Teresa Najera/The Pan American

CLEAN SWEEP- UTPA sophomore Karen Lyons (9) is surrounded by her teamates Heather Bravo (2) and Chrissie Carrigan (1) after they swept their rivals A&M-Corpus Christi Islanders for the second time in a row in three games (30-22, 30-24, 31-29) on Tuesday at the UTPA Field House.

Bronc Roundup: Golf, cross country in action

Letter to the Editor Dear Editor: I feel compelled to write this letter in response to Jack Stanley’s letter in the 9/30/04 edition of the Pan American. One of his quotes in bold was “If you are not of Spanish-speaking Hispanic Mexican heritage, UTPA does not value you.” One of the many things I value about higher education is the concept of academic freedom - anyone, especially tenured faculty, can freely state their opinions. However, I strongly do not agree with his position. As an Anglo not from the Valley, I have always felt valued on this campus.

My opinions are very different from Jack Stanley’s. On the one hand, I do agree that there have been times that I feel “diversity” and “multiculturalism” is not directed at me.

However, I have never, on the UTPA campus, felt that racism has been an issue. To quote Stanley, “UTPA has long been accustomed to such racism and the racist patron system.” A

The University of Texas-Pan American made it two in a row, returning home to defeat Texas A&M-Corpus Christi Tuesday at the Field House.

The Lady Broncs, now 7-9 after ending a recent four-game losing streak, came from behind in a thrilling third match to beat the Lady Islanders in three straight matches, (30-22, 30-24, 31-29), keeping the crowd on its feet all the way.

“Coming back home was amazing and it helped tremendously with the crowd and everyone getting into it,” Sophomore Heather Bravo said.

The first two games seemed to go the Lady Broncs’ way as they ran away with easy victories. When the third match started, they found themselves trailing the Lady Islanders, 14-9 with the loss, 3-1 early.

Late in the match they started closing the gap and found themselves in a gunfight. The home team finished off the third match with an adrenaline-pumping victory that had the crowd jumping.

“I really think the team stuck together and just came through,” Bravo said. “Not getting worried and stressed when they went up really helped us.”

Coach Dave Thorn said his team went back to what they were doing in the first two matches to come from behind and pick up the win in the third match. He said that during the second match, his team was a little tentative and tried to play it safe; that allowed the other team to gain momentum.

“And once we started playing aggressively again, attacking the ball, we started doing a lot better,” Thorn said. “I thought that we had better concentration in the second game.”

One key factor that seemed to help the Lady Broncs was the home field advantage. They were cheered not only by the UTPA cheerleaders, but by the 200-plus crowd that was going nuts during the late thirdmatch rally.

“They were going crazy for us and that’s a great boost,” Thorn said.

“I think that’s what pushed us over the edge on that last game.”

Leading the way for the Karen Lyons (McAllen, TX/McAllen Memorial H.S.) who had 36 assists on the night and 18 digs.

Sophomore Bravo (Las Vegas, NV/Durango H.S.) finished with 16 kills and 12 digs.

“I thought that Karen had a good night,” Chrissie Carrigan said.

“Now we’re really geling as a team.”

Teammate Carol Marcengo (Curitiba, Brazil/SPEI H.S.) collected her ninth 20-dig game Tuesday night and even had two straight aces in the exciting third game that put UTPA up, 30-29.

“We started our home stand like we wanted to,” Thorn said. ”Hopefully that will start giving us some momentum.”

The next test for the team will come Friday at UTPA Fieldhouse when they face Northern Colorado and try to extend their winning streak.

quick look in the dictionary defines racism as “the idea that one’s own race is superior”. In my tenure of 12 year here at the university I have felt ethic pride but certainly not “racism.” I may be ill informed but I’m not exactly sure what “racist patron system” is. I guess my naiveté prevents me from fully commenting on this alleged system.

Current enrollment figures at UTPA indicate that 89 percent of the students are Hispanic, a figure consistent with the local residents. My question to Jack Stanley is: if ours was an institution in northern Minnesota, would it not be normal and appropriate to honor Norwegian or Swedish culture?

I am also troubled by his statement that “…academic programs were financially robbed to benefit the personal pet projects” (referring to past President Nerarez). I would have liked to have more specific statements rather than inflammatory ones with no supporting evidence. This may have been his

experience, but it is certainly not mine.

Administration has been very supportive of the continual growth of our academic department during the past 15 years.

I fully agree that, as individuals and an institution, we must value all people regardless of ethnicity, gender, disability, religion, age, etc. And, I agree, that I have experienced examples where non-Hispanic students and faculty may have felt marginalized. However, to make statements about “the racist patron system” grossly exceeds reality.

As a communication professor, I would hope that Jack Stanley would add substantive details to his claims rather than vague statements of racism, cronyism, and robbery.

Otherwise, I see little value in his comments.

Bruce J. Reed, Ph.D. Professor/Department Chair, Department of Rehabilitation

By DARYL GONZALES The Pan American The University of Texas-Pan American men’s golf team teed off at the Stephen F. Austin Crown Classic on Oct. 11-12, finishing a respectable sixth out of nine teams. The men’s three-round total was 929 (308-307315), Leading the way was freshmen A.J. Hohn who shot a three-round total of 225 (71-73-81), good for the team’s best ranking, 17th. Hohn was fifth after the first two rounds of play, and then dropped to 17th after shooting an 81.

Teammate Jeff Hensley followed at 23rd with a 231 score and Colin Norris finished 30th 234 (79-76-79).

Freshmen Kyle Tudi and Alvaro Gonzalez tied for 40th after three rounds.

Tournament top honors went to Stephen F. Austin 871 (288-284-299), and then Sam Houston State 887 (290296-301), McNeese State 890 (297-293-300) while Rice and University of Missouri rounded off the top five with UTPA sixth.

The men are next in action Oct. 22 at the Nelson Invitational hosted by Stanford University in Palo Alto, CA. On the women’s side, Mother Nature takes another invitational as the Lady Indian Classic was cancelled after just one round of play due to severe thunderstorms.

The women’s team was only allowed to play one round, but managed to finish that round fourth out of 17 attending schools.

Juniors Daniela Cortes and Stefanie Maynard were tied for 11th after the first round of play, at 78, followed closely by Crystal Frazier in 14th (with a 79) after the first round. Rounding out the list for the Lady Broncs were Nikki Boychuk at 40th and Christine Treanor in 56th.

The next tournament for the Lady Broncs will be in two weeks at the Sam Houston State Tri-match Oct. 24 in Huntsville.

Men’s and Women’s Cross Country Also making heads turn is the success the university’s cross country team, as two of its members were named

Independent Runners of the Week on Wednesday.

Junior Hector Gandara was one of the two runners honored. This week he put on a great performance at the Auburn Invitational, placing 13th out of 185 runners with a time of 25:38.65 in the 8K race. This is the third meet this year where Gandara finished with the best time for the men’s cross country team. The other top place finishes came when he won at the Texas State Invitational and came home fourth at the Islander Splash held in Corpus Christi.

At the Auburn Invitational, the UTPA men’s team finished 10th out of 21 teams.

Also honored this week was freshman Bertha Castillo on the women’s side. At the Auburn Invitational she finished with a time of 19:16.07 in the 5K race, placing 21st out of 163 runners. For the fourth consecutive time this year she was the team’s top runner. She placed eighth at the Texas State Invitational and fifth at the University of Texas San Antonio Whataburger Invitational.

These two and the rest of their team will be in the heat of things again when they travel to the Independent Championships in Corpus Christi Oct. 30.

PAGE 16

SPORTS

■ Sports Clipboard . . . . . 13

A slice of life: Antwone Fisher visits UTPA

See Page 3

■ Tennis . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

THE

■ Volleyball. . . . . . . .15

PAN AMERICAN

T h e S t u d e n t N e w s p a p e r o f T h e U n i v e r s i t y o f Te x a s - P a n A m e r i c a n

October 14, 2004

3

2

1

2004-05 MEN’S BASKETBALL SCHEDULE DATE

OPPONENT

LOCATION

11/06/04 11/08/04 11/23/04 11/27/04 12/01/04 12/04/04 12/07/04 12/11/04 12/16/04 12/20/04 12/22/04 12/23/04 12/29/04 12/31/04 01/02/05 01/05/05 01/08/05 01/11/05 01/17/05 01/20/05 01/26/05 01/29/05 01/31/05 02/05/05 02/07/05 02/17/05 02/19/05 02/21/05 02/27/05 03/01/05

Monterrey Tech (Exhibition Game) Universidad Regiomontana (Exhibition Game) Texas A&M - International Southwest Missouri State Southwestern Assemblies of God Sam Houston State Lamar University North Texas Texas - Permian Basin Birmingham - Southern College Wright State Mississippi Valley State UNLV Northwestern University University of Oklahoma Air Force Academy Northern Colorado Utah Valley State Texas - San Antonio Alcorn State Texas A&M - Corpus Christi Northern Colorado IPFW Texas A&M - Corpus Christi Vanderbilt University Birmingham - Southern College Central Baptist College Utah Valley State IPFW New Mexico State

HOME HOME HOME Springfield, MO HOME HOME Beaumont, TX HOME HOME HOME HOME HOME Las Vegas, NV Evanston, IL Norman, OK USAFA, CO Greeley, CO Orem, UT HOME Lorman, MS HOME HOME HOME Corpus Christi, TX Nashville, TN Birmingham, AL HOME HOME Fort Wayne, IN Las Cruces, NM

2004-05 MEN’S BASKETBALL ROSTER NO. 0 1 2 3 5 11 12 15 20 24 32 33 41 52

NAME Derrick East Danny Puente Eric Montalvo Sergio Sanchez Thomas Sanders Matt Berry Zach Wells Dexter Shankle Chris Fagan Ray Castillo Zach Trader Ryan Buck Ryan Lange Alvaidas Gedminas

CLASS JR FR SR SR FR SR FR FR SR SR FR FR SR SR

HEIGHT 6-8 6-0 6-1 5-10 6-3 6-5 6-4 6-0 6-5 6-5 6-7 6-6 6-11 7-0

HOMETOWN Binger, OK McAllen, TX La Joya, TX San Antonio, TX Sugar, TX Tulsa, OK Oklahoma City, OK Katy, TX Bronx, NY San Antonio, TX LaPorte, TX Harlingen, TX Inwood, IA Plunge, Lithuania

COACHING STAFF Robert Davenport - Head Coach (1st Season) Brian Dolan - Assistant Coach (1st Season) Greg Wright - Assistant Coach (1st Season) Spencer Wright - Assistant Coach (6th Season) Ryan Edwards - Administrative Assistant (1st Season)

4

Midnight Madness Friday 7:30 p.m.

Field House On Friday, Oct. 15 athletic staff, athletes, and fans will gather in a daylong celebration to kick off UTPA Bronc basketball.

What is traditionally called Midnight Madness officially marks the beginning of basketball practice for both the men’s and women’s teams both of which will have a full month to prepare for the season.

The men’s team plays Texas A&MInternational on Nov. 23 at home for its first game. The women’s team heads to the Marshall Thundering Herd Tournament in Huntington, WV. on Nov. 19.

“Our guys have been working hard,” men’s head coach Robert Davenport said.

Davenport also mentioned that last season’s 14-14 finish is something the team can build on. He said his seven seniors carry the reminder of the way the Broncs started last season (5-12) before hitting a monthlong win streak in January for the remainder of the season, going 9-2 the rest of the way.

1.Sergio Sanchez 2.MaHogany Daniel 3.Eric Montalvo 4. Jennifer Piwonka 5. Matt Berry

5

By ANGELA I. CANALES The Pan American

2004-05 WOMEN’S BASKETBALL SCHEDULE DATE

OPPONENT

LOCATION

11/07/04 11/13/04 11/19/04 11/20/04

St. Mary's (Exhibition Game) Texas A&M - Kingsville (Exhibition Game) Marshall Thundering Herd Tournament - Marshall Marshall Thundering Herd Tournament - Lehigh/UNC-Asheville Texas A&M - International Oral Roberts University University of Tulsa Southwestern Assemblies of God Colorado State University University of Wyoming Texas State University Texas - Permian Basin North Texas Lafayette College Morgan State University Oklahoma State Northern Arizona Prairie View A&M Huston - Tillotson IPFW Longwood University Savannah State Longwood University Prairie View A&M Texas A&M - Corpus Christi Texas A&M - Corpus Christi IPFW National Independent Tournament National Independent Tournament National Independent Tournament

HOME HOME Huntington, WV Huntington, WV

11/23/04 11/26/04 11/28/04 12/01/04 12/04/04 12/06/04 12/11/04 12/16/04 12/20/04 12/29/04 12/31/04 01/02/05 01/08/05 01/11/05 01/19/05 01/22/05 01/28/05 01/30/05 02/07/05 02/09/05 02/15/05 02/22/05 02/26/05 03/03/05 03/04/05 03/05/05

HOME Tulsa, OK Tulsa, OK HOME Fort Collins, CO Laramie, WY HOME HOME HOME Easton, PA Baltimore, MD Stillwater, OK HOME HOME HOME HOME Farmville, VA Farmville, VA HOME Prairie View A&M Corpus Christi, TX HOME Fort Wayne, IN Orem, UT Orem, UT Orem, UT

2004-05 WOMEN’S BASKETBALL ROSTER NO. 1 3 4 5 11 13 14 21 23 24 32 33 34 35 41 43

NAME Tiona Wilson Azzie Knox Ashley Roberts Kathy Guin Jennifer Piwonka MaHogany Daniel Dottie Kneer Cinthia Ramirez Dawnne Cheadle Molly Schamel Devin Reed Dominique Montague Jennifer Arriola Joanna Fuentes Tynesha Pierce Stacey Gooden

CLASS FR SO SR FR SR SO FR FR SR SR JR JR SR JR FR JR

HEIGHT 5-6 5-10 5-6 5-5 5-7 5-10 5-11 5-7 5-7 6-1 5-7 5-9 6-2 5-9 6-1 6-0

HOMETOWN Bradenton, FL Temple, TX Hernando, TX Guthrie, OK Louise, TX Corpus Christi, TX Winter Park, FL Guadalajara, MEX Roswell, NM Hector, NY Indianapolis, IN Gilbert, AZ Rio Rico, AZ McAllen, TX Houston, TX Houston, TX

COACHING STAFF DeAnn Craft - Head Coach (2nd Season) Tracy Anderson - Associate Head Coach (3rd Season) Jill Davis - Assistant Coach (2nd Season) Keelah Wilson - Assistant Coach (1st Season) Chelsea Bell - Administrative Assistant (1st Season)

With less than a month until the presidential elections, citizens, including women, are registering and getting informed about the issues.

Students have watched the debates and are trying to make informed decisions on who is the best choice for president.

“Well, there are a lot of issues that make me want to vote,” said Kerri Urdaz, junior education major. “First of all, right now my main concern is the war because I have a brother there.”

The war in Iraq is a topic considered to be a priority among voters making a choice at the polls.

“Really, I guess everything that is going on in Iraq [makes me want to go vote],” said Michelle Peña, sophomore psychology major.

Though there are some issues that women deal with daily by simply being female, such as barriers to advancement in the workforce, yet when it comes to elections, there isn’t a major difference between the genders.

“No, I don’t think of any issues that are particularly pertaining to women, I think most of the things that our society should be concerned with are issues that affect everyone,” Urdaz said.

To decide on a candidate, women are looking for answers that will benefit society.

“I don’t think it is women [issues] I think it is more as a whole,” Peña said. “I think Bush will do a better job in protecting our country. I know he has his moments like

that affect Americans are welfare and education.

“I kind of agree with what he [Bush] is doing with the welfare and all that,” Peña said. “I agree how he is trying to, not end it, but have people not depend on it so much because it is taking a lot of taxpayers’ money. I don’t get welfare and I pay for school and I am not really going to benefit from it.”

Urdaz feels that issues affecting students are also important and should be something taken into consideration by voters. This includes the cost of higher education and job availability upon graduation.

Tasks of researching and knowing the candidates should be complete by Nov. 2.

“I would encourage everyone that is registered to vote to go and vote because it does make a difference,” Urdaz said. “Also be informed, research the debates and end up with an informed decision when you are ready to go vote.”

The third and last presidential debate was Wednesday in Tempe, AZ. Urdaz expresses that it is important for women to vote and exercise their right to vote are heard by actually voting.

“It’s important to vote simply because it is our right,” she said. “It is our voice and we should be able to express it by voting.”

Petra Guerra, assistant professor in the communication department, was an activist in the ‘70s and ‘80s and said that women voters are an important voice at the polls.

“First of all, all kind of studies show that we as women make better decisions and could probably run this world better,” Guerra said. “For me being a woman instead

“All kinds of studies show that women make better decisions and could probably run this world better.”

-Petra Guerra, UTPA assistant professor when they did that movie where they made him look really bad, but I think he would be better off for us.”

Other than the war, other key issues

of sitting at home and complaining about it, I feel that I need to get out there and do more and educate other women to see what is happening.”

See WOMEN page 11

Delisa Guaderama/The Pan American

Women: Voicing their right to vote + As presidential election nears, women are focusing on personal topics

______________________ Teresa Heinz Kerry, wife of presidential candidate John Kerry, speaks at a rally in McAllen on Sunday. ______________________

RGV Food Bank assists families

By LYLONY CAZARES The Pan American The Thanksgiving holiday season is only a couple weeks away and there are many families dealing with hunger on a daily basis in the Rio Grande Valley. To help feed the hungry the Food Bank RGV in McAllen is conducting Hunger Awareness Week Oct. 10-16.

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) only 89 percent of households in American were food-secure in 2002, meaning they had access to adequate food for an active, healthy life for all household members. Eleven percent of households were food-insecure because of lack of resources.

“There are thousands of families across the Valley that need the assistance of the Food Bank RGV and our member agencies to help put food on their table,” said Nadia Ochoa, Food Bank RGV resource development manager.

Ochoa mentioned how important the hunger issue is in the Valley and the need for the community to become more aware of the issue. The Food Bank RGV will be sending out public service announcements during Hunger Awareness Week.

“We recognize the problem and we are trying to solve it,” Ochoa said. “It affects both elderly and children in different ways. Children can't grow or function normally in school without the proper nutrition. Hunger increases the risk of a stroke, and limits the effectiveness of many

See HUNGER page 11